What is a copyright? A
limited (for the life of the author + 70 years), legal protection for
intellectual property - something original you created.
Why would you want a copyright? To protect you against unauthorized
reproduction of your original work.
What kind of work is covered by a copyright? Many different kinds,
from sculpture (my bears are copyrighted as a soft sculpture), to literary
(my patterns are copyrighted as such), to musical, dramatic, audiovisual.
How hard is it to get? The directions on the U.S. Copyright Office
web page are clear and the forms are easy. The trickiest part might be
figuring out which category in which to register your work! Just be sure
to comply with all the requests for information and illustrations.
Is it expensive? Currently, a copyright costs $35.00.
Here is the link to the U.S. Copyright Office website. It will answer all
your questions, and then some!
www.copyright.gov
Explore the information. Remember - it isn't hard, but it is worth the
time you take! |