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How to Obtain a Copyright for Books
Authors have a strange preoccupation about getting a copyright for books. Even if that great novel is currently just an idea, some author wants to get it copyrighted. But when asked, they don't really know what a copyright means or when it's appropriate to obtain one.
So, What Is It?
Copyright is the understanding of the U. S. Government that authors of original works have the right to copy (mass produce), change, and/or sell and license their creative works (or products derived from such works). That is the shortest explanation I can provide. The full description is handled in Title 17, U.S. Code and covers more than writing.
When Is The Earliest I Can Get A Copyright For My Work?
From your first session with your first draft, you automatically have a copyright for your work. It doesn't have to be published to have a copyright. It also doesn't need a © symbol (part of a copyright notice). That's why editors groan when they see manuscripts with that symbol on the cover page—it's the mark of an amateur.
Your work does have to be in “fixed form” to hold a copyright, however. To loosely define that term for an author, “fixed form” means that some original part of the story must be written (ideas cannot be copyrighted).
A copyright for books is normally in effect for the life of the work's author until 70 years after his or her death. From that point, the work becomes Public Domain.
What authors are normally referring to when they talk about copyright is actually the registration of their copyright. Registration allows the information regarding your copyright to be a matter or public record, decreasing the likelihood of disputes because someone else did not know about your copyright. Registering your copyright can be done as part of the book's publication. Contact the U.S. Copyright Office.
So There You Have It
An author shouldn't obsess about a copyright for books. His or her work is protected from the moment of creation.
Resources
www.clickandcopyright.com - Files government copyright form for a fee. www.loc.gov/copyright/ copyright form - United States copyright office.
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