How to Copyright Writing

As a writer, especially if you write online, you are probably worried about others trying to steal your work and use it as their own. You may even think that you have to go through a lengthy process to get a copyright for your work. With online writing this simply isn't practical or necessary. Once your work has been written it is automatically copyrighted to you, unless, of course, you transfer those rights when you sell your work. There a few things you can do to protect yourself should anyone ever claim your work as their own.

Instructions

1. Always keep a copy of your original work. You can store this on your computer or burn it to disc for easy storage. This is your evidence to support that the work belongs to you.

2. Keep accurate records of where your work is published and what rights you have retained. If you sell your work and all the rights to the work, you no longer own the copyright.

3. Always read the fine print before publishing or posting your work on the Internet. Don't assume that because you are the original author you will maintain the copyright after publication. Even if you do, if you assigned the publisher rights to publish it elsewhere, they can do so without your consent and often without additional compensation.

4. Include a byline and copyright symbol on any personal blogs you post your work to. Although this isn't necessary it may prevent others from trying to pass your work off as their own.

5. Be aware of where your work is at all times.

Tips & Warnings

• You can register your work with the copyright office for a fee of $45. This will protect you in a case of copyright infringement. In the event that you sue someone for copyright infringement, registered work allows you to collect statutory damages while unregistered work allows for actual damages only.

• It may be prudent to register a large body of work, but certainly is cost prohibitive, and almost certainly unnecessary, for individual articles and short pieces intended for publication online.