HELP! copyright details! AHHHHH!

[fireandicewriter]

I've seen bunches of sites that have threads to post your story beginnings. Can't someone take your story and claim it as there's? HELP!!!!

[Marie123]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to know when is it a good time to get my work copyrighted?...Right now, all I have completed is the first three chapters. But, I have posted the first chapter already online at a teen writing website...the story seems to have already developed online followers. I'm worried about someone stealing my work...so, should I stop posting chapters of my story and get it copyrighted first?....

Thanks in advance :)

[fireandicewriter]

haha, I just asked a q about that in the help catergory. I'm lost, too! I'm proud of my work, and don't want it stolen. PLease tell me if you get any answers!

[Jessianodel]

Well yes, but technically you have copyright as soon as you post a story online; here's a link. (http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/copyright/)

Anyone can claim that, although I hope there aren't a lot on this site. It sucks and as far as I can tell, will get someone blackballed in the writing biz.

[Becky Black]

It's possible, but so is getting struck by a meteorite - but so rare it's not something to waste brain space fretting about.

Heck, if something is posted on a forum, under your username, where it's time stamped and everything and that same bit of text later appears in someone else's book, then the number of legs they have to stand on is zero.

[Jersey Chick]

Your work is copyrighted the moment you put it in a fixed format. In other words, the moment you write it down. The chances of it being stolen are fairly slim, in reality. Don't worry about it - and if you can't not worry about it, don't post it anywhere.

[fireandicewriter]

Alright. Thanks! I think I'm going to post my story in the library. That's the right place, right? I think it is, but whatever. Thanks!

[jvc]

I have merged a thread from the Newbie forum into this one here in FAQs. This does seem to have jumbled up the posts though. So if anyone missed the question that was posted in the Newbie forum it is quoted below (Posted by Marie123 - which is now post two in this thread):


Hi everyone,

I wanted to know when is it a good time to get my work copyrighted?...Right now, all I have completed is the first three chapters. But, I have posted the first chapter already online at a teen writing website...the story seems to have already developed online followers. I'm worried about someone stealing my work...so, should I stop posting chapters of my story and get it copyrighted first?....

Thanks in advance :)

[fireandicewriter]

Wait, I have one more q.

Is there anywhere for people to post stories that are not published?

Thanks again!

[Marie123]

Your work is copyrighted the moment you put it in a fixed format. In other words, the moment you write it down. The chances of it being stolen are fairly slim, in reality. Don't worry about it - and if you can't not worry about it, don't post it anywhere.

When I first posted the first chapter of my book online...I did it to get quick feedback. However, I didn't know it would go on to become a popular read and gain followers. That took me by surprise...lol
I have started official copyright paperwork today to protect my work. But, I wonder if I need to complete the entire book first. Anyway, I might just post ONLY the first two chapters online. I don't think that will hurt...hopefully.

[jvc]

Wait, I have one more q.

Is there anywhere for people to post stories that are not published?

Thanks again!
If you need some feedback on your writing, you can post some in our Share Your Work (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26) forum (the password is vista). The critiques can be harsh sometimes ... but honest, so prepare yourself for that. Everyone means well, though. Their goal is to get you the best novel/story/article possible and to get it published. You could also critique some of the other members' work too. It is surprising how that can help with you own. Check out the how-to guide threads in Main Share Your Work sub-forum, then post your material in one of the genre sub-forums.

[fireandicewriter]

OK, thanks. I'm used to harsh in my life, and henceforth so are all of my characters =) I thrive off of critique.

The nastier, the better, because that means i can write more to improve. An dI like writing, a lot.

[fireandicewriter]

It's on, in the fantasy! Thanks for your help!

[IdiotsRUs]

When I first posted the first chapter of my book online...I did it to get quick feedback. However, I didn't know it would go on to become a popular read and gain followers. That took me by surprise...lol
I have started official copyright paperwork today to protect my work. But, I wonder if I need to complete the entire book first. Anyway, I might just post ONLY the first two chapters online. I don't think that will hurt...hopefully.

You do not generally need official copyrigt paperwork if you intend to get this published in anyway - the publisher will do it for you and it being previously copyrighted may make it more difficult. It also screams 'I'm an amateur!' lol. So, it's already copyrighted because you have proof it's yours (your IP etc where you posted it, and you're word or whatever doc and...) you're covered. Don't spend money you don't have to.

It's on, in the fantasy! Thanks for your help! On my way.

[Sirius]

You do not generally need official copyrigt paperwork if you intend to get this published in anyway - the publisher will do it for you and it being previously copyrighted may make it more difficult. It also screams 'I'm an amateur!' lol. So, it's already copyrighted because you have proof it's yours (your IP etc where you posted it, and you're word or whatever doc and...) you're covered. Don't spend money you don't have to.

On my way.

It's worth noting that the provisions regarding copyright in the US (and, specificall, deposit with the Library of Congress and obtaining proof of deposit) do not apply practically anywhere else in the known universe, and that for most non-US territories which are party to either the Berne or the Universal Copyright Conventions a) copyright arises by operation of law from the date an original work is recorded in any material form; and b) the use of the copyright symbol and the date operate as an assertion of convention rights in countries such as the US which operate deposit formalities. So where a non-US person puts (c) [author's name] 2010 [it has to be a complete circle, btw] it actually has different connotations to when a US person does it, and may actually mean that they have a comparatively sophisticated knowledge of international protections rather than screaming "I'm amateur2.

[shaldna]

If someone is going to steal your work then they will do it, copyright or not. It's not a magic sheild, but it does help should there be a plagarism problem.

[Medievalist]

It's worth noting that the provisions regarding copyright in the US (and, specificall, deposit with the Library of Congress and obtaining proof of deposit) do not apply practically anywhere else in the known universe, and that for most non-US territories which are party to either the Berne or the Universal Copyright Conventions a) copyright arises by operation of law from the date an original work is recorded in any material form; and b) the use of the copyright symbol and the date operate as an assertion of convention rights in countries such as the US which operate deposit formalities. So where a non-US person puts (c) [author's name] 2010 [it has to be a complete circle, btw] it actually has different connotations to when a US person does it, and may actually mean that they have a comparatively sophisticated knowledge of international protections rather than screaming "I'm amateur2.

You are confusing US registration of copyright with copyright. You only need to submit copies if you are registering the copyright.

[Medievalist]

Y'all there's a perfectly good copyright FAQ right in this very section. Why not actually check it out?

[Eileen]

Copyright is not an issue. As soon as you write something, you own the copyright (unless you write in the course of paid employment as a writer). You do not have to post it to yourself or register it anywhere.

If it ever arose that someone did steal your work and tried to pass it off as his own, your early drafts will be proof that your work was originated by you. So always keep your early drafts.

However, one thing that should be considered before you post anything on-line is that by posting to a public forum or a blog, you are publishing it. Even if it's unpaid and to a small readership. It's still accessible by the public.

When you go looking for a publisher, you may find yourself in the situation of not being able to offer first serial rights to the story.

[Becky Black]

If it ever arose that someone did steal your work and tried to pass it off as his own, your early drafts will be proof that your work was originated by you. So always keep your early drafts.

Yes, that's a good point. If you were ever in a situation where it actually came down to a court case then the thief claiming your work is their own only has the final version. The actual writer has notes, outlines, previous drafts etc as evidence. So always archive your older drafts and notebooks - just in case! And write the date on the page every time you write some notes in a notebook.

[TopSecret]

Good tips on the dates of notes. I was also thinking, if they are on your computer(the files) you can copy them to a cd. If you do not open the files that you know contains them before putting them on the cd, the last modified date will be exactly what it says the last modification date. This would help you out in court and I don't believe there is anyway it could hurt. You can also take a screen shot of the file beforehand and put that on the disk for additional supporting evidence. I am no computer expert, but I would imagine that somehow a computer wizz would be able change this somehow, but it's better than nada.
Caution: Do not forget to put on your stainless steel bowlhat to block the thought stealing rays. Hey, I mean it's been 60 years since the original experiments? You think they haven't cloned them grey things yet? HA
Basically, what I am saying is that you might want to make sure you're computer is adequetly protected, and don't take any consumables from strange people in black!

[tots_author]

Whenever i send a chapter of my book for someone to read, I always email it to myself first. This way the person who I sent the email to cannot say that they wrote it. Not that I ever send it to someone I don't trust but you never know...