4. What do I have to do?

5. What do you do for me?

6.  Why  choose CopyrightMyBook.org?

7. What are the costs?

8. What about a "poor man's copyright?"

9. If my book is already published, do I need a 

    copyright?

10. How long does copyright protection last?

11. Should I get my manuscript copyrighted before sending it to a publisher?

12. Is there anything I can't copyright?

1. Why do I need a copyright?

Copyright is like staking a claim on a goldmine. It establishes the date that you claim your work, so if anyone else tries to claim it and cannot establish an earlier date, it's yours. The Copyright Office also keeps a copy, thus establishing exactly what you are copyrighting. Copyrighting protects your work and allows you to control how it's reproduced and distributed.

2. What can I copyright on this site?

On this site, Copyright My Book, you can copyright non-dramatic literary works, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, brochures, children's picture books, reference works, online works and computer programs.  Musical works can be copyrighted at our sister site, Copyright My Music, and screenplays, drama, choreography, video productions, motion pictures, and other audiovisual works can be copyrighted at Copyright My Movie. If you have artwork, such as pictures, drawings, paintings, sculptures, charts, graphics, maps etc., they can be copyrighted at Copyright My Art.

3. What is the process?

The process is simple: You fill out the copyright form on this site, pay the fee, and send us a copy of your manuscript. We send all necessary information to the copyright office claiming the copyright in your name. When they receive it, we send you confirmation.

4. What do I have to do?

It's as easy as 1...2....3... 

1) Fill out the copyright form. 2) Pay the fee.  3) Send us a print out of the manuscript, or if the work is already published, send us two copies.

5. What do you do for me?

We review all the information you provide to make sure it's consistent and complete. We file your application with the U.S. Copyright Office. We send you delivery confirmation, and when the copyright it complete, the Copyright office will send you the certificate of registration.

6. Why choose CopyrightMyBook.org

Every copyright application is carefully checked for internal consistency as well as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  We spell out abbreviations and check capitalization. We also double check consistency of names, shipping addresses and the like.

7. What are the costs?

The cost is $120 to do the copyright. This includes the fee of $40 that goes to the copyright office and our mailing costs.

8. What about a "poor man's copyright?"

A "poor man's copyright" is accomplished by sending a sealed copy of the manuscript to yourself by registered mail, and then never opening the envelope.  This dated parcel provides some documentation of the date the work was written. However, because there is no guarantee that the envelope is secure, the "poor man's copyright" is not very likely to hold up in court.

9. If my book is already published, do I need a copyright?

The purpose of copyright is to document the date the manuscript was created. When the book is published, the copyright notice informs the public that this work belongs to you, and the date of publication provides confirmation that you own it as of that date.  However, if someone should contest your copyright and establish an earlier date for their claim, the publication date would not be useful.

10. Should I get my manuscript copyrighted before sending it to a publisher?

Few publishers could stay in business if they were stealing works that belong to others, and it's usually sufficient to put a copyright notice on your work before sending it to a publisher. This is your copyright claim.  However, because the date of the claim is not dated, it's open to debate. The short answer is yes, get it copyrighted first.

11. How long does copyright last?

For works created on or after January 1. 1978, copyright protection is for the life of the author plus an additional seventy years. For a jointly created work, copyright lasts for seventy years after the last surviving author's death. For anonymous and pseudonymous works and works made for hire, the term is ninety-five years from the first year published or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever ends first.

For works created but not published or registered before January 1, 1978, the copyright is for the life of the author plus seventy years. In no case can the copyright expire earlier than December 31, 2002.

The copyright on pre-1978 works still in their original or renewal term of copyright has been extended to ninety-five years from the date copyright was originally registered.