Can an author change the name listed on her book’s copyright page to a new one when she republishes the book?
<p>I previously published books under a pen name through a publisher that has since closed due to the owner’s death. I’m planning to self-publish the books but under a new author name. Can I change the name listed in the copyright page of the book to the new name, e.g. copyright@2011 by Old Name to copyright@2011 by New Name, or add the new name, e.g. copyright@2011 by Old Name/New Name? Or must I maintain the original name? Any information would be much appreciated.</p>

<h2>You are not your name</h2>
<p>The copyright is owned by you. What you call yourself is immaterial.</p>
<p>Not only aren’t you going to sue yourself for copyright violation; you can’t. First, because you clearly gave yourself permission and second, because, except in some highly specific situations involving trusts, you can’t sue yourself for anything.</p>

copyright-transfer