How do I copyright my book?

Hi, I am wondering how to actually get the work copywrited before you send it in to a publisher. The book is not yet finished, does that matter?

Dave's Answer:

I passed your question to Kevin Savetz, author of Copyright Your Web Site, a helpful e-book that shows how and why to copyright your online work and author of quite a few books of his own. Kevin wrote:

I recommend registering the copyright on your book -- finished or not -- before you submit it to a publisher. It's just cheap ($45) insurance that you work won't be used without your permission. Certainly, major publishers are generally quite ethical and wouldn't dream of publishing your work without your permission, but why take the chance?

Registering the copyright for a book (or portion of one) is quite simple: just download the PDF of Short Form TX and fill out the one-page form. If you've co-written the book or the manuscript incorporates uses
some previously published material, you'll need to use the longer version of Form TX instead. (Don't worry: it's only two pages.)

Both versions of form TX are straightforward, with clear instructions. If you haven't sent the book to a publisher yet, write "unpublished" in space 4 of Short Form TX. If you have sent it to a publisher, write the date that you mailed it in that space. (To the Copyright Office, "published" simply means distributed, not necessarily printed in a book and sold.) In space 5, "Type of Authorship", you define exactly what you have created: if the book is text only, write "text" in space 5; if it also includes diagrams or photographs that you created, write "text and diagrams" or "text and photographs".

Now, print out your manuscript. Print one copy if you are registering it as unpublished, or two copies if you're registering it as published. Send the completed and signed form, the printouts, plus a check or postal money order for $45 made out to "Register of Copyrights", to the Copyright Office at the address on the form.

It will take several weeks or months before you receive confirmation of your registration back from the Copyright Office. You don't need to wait for that confirmation before distributing your book to publishers: the copyright registration date will be retroactive to the date the Copyright Office receives your registration packet.

Thanks for that helpful answer, Kevin. Again, if you need more information about the strange world of copyright and how to ensure that your intellectual property is protected under the law, you might well invest in a copy of Kevin's Copyright Your Web Site.

Categorized: The Writing Business (Article 6829, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: copyright, intellectual property, publishing, writing
Previous: How do I add public holidays to my Google Calendar?
Next: How do I add album artwork to my Apple iTunes library?

Subscribe!

Never miss another Q&A article! Click to subscribe:

Comments

Hi Dave,

I love your site and this is the first time I have to take issue with something posted on your site. From what I can tell, the person providing the advice here (on a legal question) is not even a lawyer. Mr. Savetz appears to be a technology journalist -- but not a lawyer. The question here is entirely legal and the advice is simply incorrect.

Mr. Savetz advises registering the copyright as cheap insurance. Registration doesn't give you a copyright -- the copyright is automatic. In fact, you AUTOMATICALLY have a copyright the instant your work is fixed in a tangible medium. You don't need to do anything. What registration gives you is the right to sue for statutory damages and attorneys fees. These are nice things (and make a difference in a lawsuit). However, what most people do is just register their work after they discovery the infringement (which works nicely).

Just my $0.02.

Posted by: Copyright Lawyer Guy at September 13, 2006 11:39 AM

Good morning,

my novel is completed, do i have to send the coplete printout of my book to be copywritten? or my disk as well. someone told me to only send the beginning and the end of my novel..please tell me if this is correct.

Posted by: ROSMARIE REY at January 8, 2007 9:10 AM

Dave,
First I have to say thanks so much for being "out there"!
I am co-authoring a book (a first timeer) that involves many (about 50) entries of people sharing personal experiences. I am thinking I should copyright a sample entry as it it the exact template & questions for all other entries. do you suggest doing that or waiting until the entire book is complete?
Also, if that has been copyrighted, do the individuals participating in the book need to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect the idea or does the copyright cover that?
Thanks so much!
Laila

Posted by: laila at March 26, 2007 2:28 PM

Dear Dave,
i too am a first timer when it comes to writing a book. I've finished it over 300pgs and now i was thinking of sending it to the U.S. Copyright office is that what i should do? You wrote something about having the manuscript registered first? Plus i'm in Kenya right now but my legal residence is in nyc...

thank you

Joseph Governali

Posted by: Joe Governali at June 5, 2007 5:44 AM

Should I register my manuscript before it goes into print? I would like to have the copyright printed into the book, but I wasn't sure if I needed to register it first in order for it to be printed in the book, or if that is something I put in the book myself?

Posted by: Lori at February 18, 2008 12:31 PM

Can you give me a website for international copyright.I found it once and since then have been unable to find it.The form was easy and the cost was $37.Any ass. is greatly appreciated.

Posted by: wm.gorta at July 22, 2009 5:21 PM

Dear Dave,
I have a few questions, i hope you will be able to help me with. My 11 year old daughter estrella wrote a book: and i was wondering what would be the easiest and least expencive steps to take, to get the book copy writen and published. If you could help please do so, i hope to hear from you soon. Thnx have a great evening.

sincerely yours,
Ana Naranjo

Posted by: Ana Naranjo at July 22, 2009 8:21 PM

i am a 12 year old boy i am writing a book. a fiction novel so how can i get my book copyrighted.please answer me to smithel_paul@yahoo.com

Posted by: smithel at August 7, 2009 6:46 AM

I just finished writing a first hand account about homelessness and children from my work with them for the past 25 years. I would like to include photos with these stories. I have permission from the adults to share their stories and photos. How do I find out if I should self publish or try to find an agent?

Posted by: Libby at January 15, 2010 10:29 PM

Dave, first of all I want to say you have such a great web site, lately ive been reading your tips on how to register a book.
I have to say they are great but I have a question, do you have to be a certain age to publish a book? Does it make any difference or does it affect the publicity or anything?
Its just that Im a bit concerned because Im only 16 and Ive really been looking forward to publishing a book ever since I was younger.
Thanks

Posted by: Edgar at May 5, 2010 2:37 PM

Libby, that's a huge question. I suggest that you go to your public library and ask if they have issues of "Writer's Digest", or look for "how to get published" books. You can, of course, also look online for the same. :-)

Edgar, I don't think there are any constraints on age, but be careful of any sort of contract: as a 16yo you might not be able to legally sign your rights away without your parents being involved. That's the big thing, protecting your rights and the ownership of your intellectual property. Be careful, take it slow, and good luck!!

Posted by: Dave Taylor at May 5, 2010 4:49 PM

Hi Dave
I have written a book. The book contains material from our therapy sessions together. My client has given me permission to print his poetry that is included in the creative nonfiction that I have written.
Is there any other type of form that I need to submit other than the short form TX?
thank you
Jean

Posted by: Jean at June 7, 2010 2:07 PM

I have a bedtime story with a tangile "toy" that I created that goes with it. Currently, they are home made and I would like to sell them to see if they produce interest before I have them done professionally, if at all. I have added the copyright symbol to my book, product and picture that goes iwth my produce and the trademark symbol of TM on my logo. should i not sell prior to registration for copyright? I understand why we copyright but the reality is how would i know if someone stole my idea and reproduced it unless it gets sold nationally. thanks

Posted by: steph at December 4, 2010 10:30 AM

Hi Dave

My mother purchased some furniture on an auction and we found 3 copys of a manuscript written in 1950 ish... it is a must read and we want to publish..what do we do ? we have letters drom publishers in switzerland ect but cant trace authors family..what to do?

Posted by: ammon at December 10, 2010 12:10 AM

I am publishing a book with my two friends. It is like a japanese kind of book. I am confused by the whole copyright and registration thing and forms. If you can give me an idea on what is going on that a 13 year old can understand email me at starshowmedia@hotmail.com. Thanks, and PS i love ur website.

Posted by: Ethan Block at March 29, 2011 5:33 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!