Monday, August 6, 2012

How to Copyright Your Art and Comic Book Creations

Soon as you create it, copyright it.

copyright symbol

I've been busy, but just so you know I've been thinking about you, here's a quickie.

1. You create the work in a fixed form.
2. Add copyright notice. You're done.

If you want to file so you can sue someone later for damages, add these steps.
3. Download form provided on copyright office web-site and fill it out.
4. Send in material to be registered with the low fee.

Note: You can send in everything you've ever done to date to be registered under one form for one fee.

However if you need to separate projects you have to file them separately.
For instance, if you've done 5 issues of a series called Rough Riders Then submit all 5 issues on registration form with the title Rough Riders.

If you've done 3 issues of a series called Wet Noodles Then submit all 3 issues on registration form with the title Wet Noodles.

As far as characters are concerned; they are covered if they appear in the story.

Be aware you can't copyright ideas or names.

This is all the law requires you to do; all I've ever done and all you need to do. It's not complex, really!

Now go forth and copyright!

Please be sure to read Part Two in tomorrow's post.

read next - How to Not Copyright Your Art and Comic Book Creations
previous - Top 10 Amateur Lettering Mistakes

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.
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3 comments:

  1. Great post. It's true that people most of the times belive that copyright protection is a very complecated thing.
    It is not, and your post proves it.

    What i do on top of that is registering my copyright with a pay as you go service like CopyrightsWorld.com
    that way i dont have to pay monthly or anual fees and i get a much stronger protection.

    Another interesting post about for "copyright works" is this one: http://www.copyrightsworld.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/16/copyright-protection-on-world-wide-web/

    hope you like it.

    keep up the great work,
    Seu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment. I'll discuss CopyrightsWorld.com in my next post.

      Delete
  2. If you don't read my next post, then CopyrightsWorld.com is a waste of time and money

    ReplyDelete

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