Copyright? How and When?

​Authors often ask Island City Publishing LLC what they should do to get their manuscript copyrighted. The simple answer is: nothing. The copyright exists the minute you preserve your ideas or thoughts by putting them on paper or creating an electronic document or another fixed form. Your work is then immediately protected by Copyright.

The only exceptions to this rule are the following:

• You are a minor. Minors may claim copyright, but state laws regulate the business dealings involving copyrights owned by juveniles. Check with the state you live in for the laws governing this.
• The work was done for hire. If the work was part of your employment responsibilities, the copyright belongs to the employer. If the work was specially ordered or commissioned, the business or person ordering or commissioning the work may hold the copyright. 
• The work was done in collaboration with others. Everyone who contributed would be co-owners of the copyright. If you contribute a piece to a periodical or other collective work, your piece is still covered under copyright because this is distinct from copyright in the collective work as a whole.

While there are advantages to filing an official copyright with the U.S. Copyright office, no registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure a copyright for your work. 

Remember that your thoughts or ideas for a book can’t be copyrighted until you tangibly preserve them so get that book from your head onto paper or computer. You’ll be glad you did.

For more information on copyrights go to https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf