For a summary of the potential benefits look under the heading "Copyright Registration" about halfway through Circular 1, "Copyright Basics," published by the United States Copyright Office: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#cr . One major benefit (mentioned in Circular 1): If the copyright owner registers the work within certain time frames, a court can order the infringer to pay the owner's attorney's fees.
There are three primary reasons to register. Once a copyright is official the facts are on the public record and you have a physical certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation and in some cases registration is necessary to initiate a court action. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence of copyright ownership in a court of law.
There are three primary reasons to register. Once a copyright is official the facts are on the public record and you have a physical certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation and in some cases registration is necessary to initiate a court action. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence of copyright ownership in a court of law.
In the US, registration can be filed electronically at the link below. Registration is not required for protection.
In the US, registration can be filed electronically at the link below. Registration is not required for protection.
You don't have to "do" anything to get a copyright; it is automatic, from the moment you create a new work of authorship and record it in a tangible medium. However, if you're pitching an "idea" for a book, you need to be a bit more careful because copyright does NOT protect ideas.
Every web page on the Internet carries automatic copyright protection, as soon as a work is created. That is from US Copyright Law. Answers and WikiAnswers also post in the lower right corner a statement of copyright. Therefore, an answer should be quoted and cited just like any copyrighted material.
If you want to obtain copyright protection for your work in another country, you may need to comply with the copyright laws of that specific country. You should consult with an intellectual property attorney or do thorough research on the copyright laws of that country to ensure that you follow the necessary procedures to obtain copyright protection. Additionally, it is generally a good practice to register your copyright with the copyright office in each country where you seek protection.
In the US, since copyright law was amended in 1989, it has not been necessary to display a copyright notice for protection.
In the US, copyright registration is currently $35 if you register online and $50 if you register by filing paper forms. See the link in the Related Links section for more details. Technically you're not required to register in order to obtain copyright, but registration is required to bring an infringement suit. If you want to be able to enforce your rights in court, you should register.
The copyright symbol is a C in a circle, ©, but it should be mentioned that notification is not required for protection.
Violating copyright is a federal crime, punishable by fines up to $250,000. Also, the intent of copyright protection is to encourage creation of new works.
You would want trademark protection rather than copyright protection. The trademark office of the country in which you wish to do business should have information online, and may have an online application process.
Facts which are not considered common knowledge should be cited, regardless of copyright. Wikipedia articles, for example, should still be cited.
All forms are available from the Copyright Office website; you may also register online through their eCopyright system.