Copyright

[Invisionary]

I've never sent a work to a publisher, but I hope to eventually.

Before sending a work to a publisher should one copyright their work, or does the publisher do that?

[lynnmosher]

Your work is copyrighted the moment you write it so it is not necessary to have it copyrighted. Just like when one of us here on the forum writes a story or article, it is already copyrighted before we post it for critique.

[Invisionary]

Your work is copyrighted the moment you write it so it is not necessary to have it copyrighted. Just like when one of us here on the forum writes a story or article, it is already copyrighted before we post it for critique.
Hm... I assumed someone might copyright the work incase someone wished steal it and claim it as their own.

[lynnmosher]

The stealing of one's work can happen at any time. It doesn't need to be registered through the copyright office to certify it as copyrighted. Like I said, it is copyrighted the moment you write it.

[AnnWinters]

Before sending a work to a publisher should one copyright their work, or does the publisher do that?

To answer your initial question. As a general rule if you are accepted by a commercial publisher--they take care of the copyright during the process. The copyright is always yours, unless you sign it away. But the publisher is usually the one who takes care of registering it with the Library of Congress. AKA LOC

[Invisionary]

To answer your initial question. As a general rule if you are accepted by a commercial publisher--they take care of the copyright during the process. The copyright is always yours, unless you sign it away. But the publisher is usually the one who takes care of registering it with the Library of Congress. AKA LOC
Thanks. :)

[Keith Wallis]

The usual belt and braces aproach is to seal up a copy of the manuscript and post it to yourself leaving it unopened when you receive it back. The postmark authenticates the date should a third party 'steal' the work.

[ProfessorAlan]

If only my work was good enough for me to worry about it being stolen ...

[AnnWinters]

Here is a site http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html that gives general info regarding copyright. It also addresses the "poor man's copyright" issue that Keith mentioned.

[flov1943]

I think it was on the Writer's Edge or ECSa but they did recommend that before sending a complete manuscript to a publisher that it be copyrighted -- it is only $45 and on the Library of Congress website.

[Phy]

If only my work was good enough for me to worry about it being stolen ...

I give mine in large shovels-ful, and it's still not enough to garner notice!

[tlm]

The usual belt and braces aproach is to seal up a copy of the manuscript and post it to yourself leaving it unopened when you receive it back. The postmark authenticates the date should a third party 'steal' the work.
__________________


This is no longer considered a method that would hold up in court. There are too many ways this could be faked.

[Keith Wallis]

This is no longer considered a method that would hold up in courtoops - forgot that we no longer live in the days of pigeon post !

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Then there is no fool-proof way to do it any more?

[Keith Wallis]

To make up for the postal blunder:-

US Copyright Office info (from Ann's link):
When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.
(but this is copyright with no teeth ! KW)
Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

[Reen]

I have found when you post anything on the internet, (I don't know if this site has seen this or not) you open yourself to someone copying your work and posting it on another site without your knowledge. I have found this out by accident. They do not ask your permission. They just do what they want to. Some of this can break your heart. That's all I can say about that. Trust me it can break your heart. But I don't know how you can prevent it, if you want your stories to be read anywhere. There are pure evil people out there.
I hope I haven't discouraged anyone. I have left it to the Lord to deal with them!
Reen

[Phy]

If someone co-opts work you wrote and doesn't give you attribution, that's one thing, and I'd go after them. Having been through a case this week where DMCA was wrongly applied, I also have a better sense for how it can be rightly applied.

As far as taking your works without paying for them, I believe that piracy isn't nearly as bad as obscurity. In short, while taking my works without permission would be bad, it's actually worse for me if nobody knows I'm even there.

We've just gone through a lengthy and sensational rollercoaster this week when the SFWA issued fraudulent takedown orders for two of our RGR magazines at Scribd, the free online document sharing service. Cory Doctorow wrote that story up and it hit all the major geek news outlets this week; Boing Boing, Making Light, Slashdot, Digg, Ars Technica, you name it.
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/30/science-fiction-writ-1.html

John Scalzi wrote a long, sensible treatment about this issue, here:
http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/003538

Think of it this way - if somebody steals one of your works without permission, you're still getting into their head as they read your work. If nothing else, they're paying you by absorbing your thoughts, your stances, your perspective, your beliefs as written. Would it be better if they acted appropriately? Absolutely. But having electronics works taken without payment actually isn't the worst thing in the world. You're getting the word out, and as you grow as an author, perhaps they will start telling people about you, and maybe they'll buy other of your works down the road.

I admit, it's a bit of a radical idea, but it makes sense to me. As a result, I give away all my current works for free under a Creative Commons license. I'd rather get my name out there. If I ever make it to store shelves, I'll do what Cory Doctorow does and make my entire back-catalog available to read as free e-books, spurring hardcover sales of my latest work.

As for letting go and letting God, I think that's the only sane way to approach any issue. So many things in this life are beyond our power to control. If you have 'being the person God wants me to be' as your one goal, and everything else as a Godly desire, you won't go wrong.

Hang in there.

[ProfessorAlan]

I am obviously missing something in the background of the original post, but I'm pretty much Phy -- I would not be all that upset of some of my words got out there . . . some way, any way.