Whether you’re a writer, film maker or a photographer, you are a creative individual. And if you have created something that is truly creative or utter rubbish, it is still yours and it belongs to you.
In today’s world of internet, email, iPhones, iPads & every other smart device, it is very easy for files and photos to be passed all around the world without the original creator ever being recognised.
Imagine your frustration of just finishing that blockbuster novel which you have stored on a memory card. You lose the memory card in the street. Six months later, your anger has subsided, but as you browse the shelves of your local bookstore, you see your manuscript published and selling like hotcakes with some other idiots name on the cover. An extreme example, I know. But you get my point. How do you prove that YOU actually wrote that novel and it is you that should actually be reaping the rewards of its success? Simple. You Copyright it.
Here are some simple steps to help protect your work.
1. It goes without saying, but back your work up. And keep the back ups in a different location from the originals. You would be amazed at the amount of artists who don’t do this.
2. At the end of your finished article or on the body of your creation, print the words: © YEAR + INITIALS (i.e.) © 2008 AGS. Learn more about this here.
3. Mail an original version of your work to yourself by recorded delivery. When it arrives, keep it somewhere safe, unopened.
4. Similar to above, email work to yourself in a secure email account. Leave the files unopened in your inbox or in a special folder.
Remember, you cannot copyright an idea, but you can copyright an article or story from which has been created from the idea. For example:
A fiction writer cannot copyright an idea about a Volcanic eruption, but they can register copyright over their own story, but cannot stop other fiction writers writing stories about volcanic eruptions.
The above steps are easy steps to take to begin protecting your work.
Good advice so I’m reblogging on carolec55.wordpress.com
LikeLike
Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on New Author -Carole Parkes and commented:
Reblogging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog….. An Author Promotions Enterprise!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the tips. Bless you. Love, Amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
There are some good things to think about here. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem. Thanks again for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great advice, and I thank you for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Registering copyright is the best protection. In the U.S., it’s cheap and easy to do, and guarantees that the law is on your side. I have always registered my copyrights.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great advice, thanks very much – Sherri 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] We established the importance of Copyrighting your work and some simple steps to achieve it, on my post, here. […]
LikeLike
Reblogged this on RAZZLE DAZZLE and commented:
How to protect your work:
LikeLike
Great and informative article! Thanks for sharing. I have been using a Creative Commons License to assert my legal rights and entitlements and reading your post has just encouraged me to write a blog post about my reasons why. Stay tuned for more!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading. Great to know it’s inspired you to write something.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this very useful advice. I would add, when selling your books in ebook format enable digital rights Management (DRM) which makes it difficult for anyone to copy the files. All my books are DRM protected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Ally Bally's Blog.
LikeLike
That’s so much Ally. So if I do the c (in a circle) 2015 CEW. Is that it? I’m protected?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Technically speaking, yes. It’s basically your water mark & I would suggest it be a permanent footnote on all of your blogs, articles & images. © can be found on the emoji keyboard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve done it and put it on my post. I will make sure I put it on all future posts. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!!!! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem. Also, don’t forget to follow the other steps if you decide to write something a bit more significant, ie. A novel or similar. Thanks for following & please have a nose around my blog. I hope I have more that I can share with you.
LikeLike
[…] provide the link to the article here. It’ll take less than a few minutes to read but it’s worth it. I’d like to thank […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very helpful, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for these tips. Although I do work quite hard on staking my claim to “my” stuff, I clearly need to tighten things up a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Medicated & Alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person