how to copyright your work under a pen name

#How to copyright your work under a pen name registration#
#How to copyright your work under a pen name plus#

Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration.

#How to copyright your work under a pen name registration#

Registration is recommended for a number of reasons.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic? You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. A tangible form would be work that is printed on paper or electronically saved to a disk, for example.ĭo I have to register with your office to be 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. This is directly from the US Copyright Office Web site’s FAQ: To find out how we can help you get your work published by managing the submission process, call Writer’s Relief today! Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice: for questions about copyright law specifics, contact a lawyer. For the most current fee schedule and other how-to guidelines, call (202) 707-3000, or go to Learn more: What Is Considered Previously Published Writing? You’ll need to pay a fee, fill out a simple form (depending on the type of work you are registering), and send a copy of your work. If you want the facts of your copyright on public record, take the time to officially register. If you do decide to register with the Copyright Office, you’ll find it an easy process. Unless you’re worried about lawsuits, a formal copyright may be overkill. So why would a writer formally copyright his or her projects if it’s not necessary? By filing for copyright protection, you would be entitled to legal fees in the event that you were sued regarding the work but won the case.

#How to copyright your work under a pen name plus#

What you write today will be protected for the length of your life, plus at least 70 years. Once the words you are reading are down on paper or saved to your hard drive (fixed in a tangible form of expression), they are automatically protected by copyright and immediately become the property of the author. However-and this is unclear for many writers- you do not have to do anything to secure a copyright for your work. The misconception is that an unopened envelope with a canceled postmark will have some legal status in the courtroom, but this is simply not the case.Īnyone who creates an original creative work may claim copyright. Some writers believe that mailing their manuscripts to themselves is a theft-protection plan against anyone who would steal their creative writing. No one, including literary agents or editors, is allowed to copy, distribute, display, or sell copyrighted work without permission. It is intended to protect, among other artistic works, literary work, both published and unpublished, giving the author the exclusive, legal right to copy and distribute the work. For today’s creative writers, copyright protection is a built-in bonus.Ĭopyright is a form of protection for creative and original works (literary, musical, artistic, among others) that are fixed in a “tangible form of expression.” This simply means that what you’ve created-whether it’s a sketch, a sculpture, a short story, or a poem-is intellectual property, and it is protected by copyright as long as it can be viewed (or communicated) in a fixed form. The fact that you are reading these words means that this material is copyrighted and has been since the moment it was printed or saved to disk. Whether your work is on paper or posted on the Internet, your writing is automatically protected by copyright as long as it’s in a physical form that others can read. Copyrighting your books, stories, novels, and poems is rather straightforward. As a writer, knowing the basics of copyright law can help you protect your writing before signing your rights away.