Quick Question-Copyrighting

[Victarion]

Our art teacher told us that one could copyright their own original material by simply mailing themselves a copy of the material. Example: I write an original character, and want to get the character(s) and universe copyrighted. I print out all of the material, and mail it to myself. Viola, instantly copyrighted!

True or False?

Thanks guys and gals.

 

[C. Lee]

I've never heard than one before.

 

[Dope Nose]

it's true as far as I know. the postage mark will list the date and as long as the envelope remains sealed I think you're safe.

 

[C. Lee]

it's true as far as I know. the postage mark will list the date and as long as the envelope remains sealed I think you're safe.

Wild....so you have to keep it sealed though?

 

[vindrow]

Nope, that is not a copyright.

What I think your teacher is trying to tell you is that this is a way to semi-protect your work if you were planning on shopping it around.

example: Lets say you wrote a script, now before you start shopping it around you would make a couple of copies of the script, and then mail the original to yourself...that way if one of the companies that you go tries to use ;your story without paying you..you can sue them and have proff by the date in which you mailed the script to yourself provided y;ou didn't open it.

So, you would need to still get teh actual copyright.

 

[Dope Nose]

looks like vindrow is right. from the United States Copyright Office -

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?
The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.

 

[Mister J]

Our art teacher told us that one could copyright their own original material by simply mailing themselves a copy of the material. Example: I write an original character, and want to get the character(s) and universe copyrighted. I print out all of the material, and mail it to myself. Viola, instantly copyrighted!

True or False?

Thanks guys and gals.

That's called a Poor Man's Copyright and it's a fairly poor form of protection (if any at all), seeing as how it can be faked rather easily. Technically, whatever you create is granted copyright protection whenever you put it in a tangible or fixed form of media (on paper, film, tape, whatever). The problem is if you were actually looking to inarguably prove that you created a work on a certain date, either of those forms is subject to a lot of scrutiny and speculation where you could easily screw yourself. Best thing to do would be to file with the Copyright Office (not very expensive) and get it locked up.

This is from the US Copyright Office website:

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?
The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.

 

[Showtime]

Yeah I was just going to say, there is a reason they call it "poor man's copyright". Anything I write goes straight to the copywright office, it's the best way in my opinion, but you can also do it with the writer's guild.

 

[Victarion]

Thanks again Hypesters.

 

[POWdER-man]

The movie "Quiz Show" comes to mind....where the guy mails the answers to the questions the day before the game show....

 

[keith_v]

Actually, if you're in the US, any creative concept or artwork you create is automatically copyrighted and you own the rights. I would just remember to date it and make sure you have witnesses, such as family and friends, proving that you made it.

This may sound too good to be true, but it's actually in the constition, and can not be over-ruled. I don't remember which article it is, but if I find it, I'll post it.

 

[Motown Marvel]

its not an official copyright, but it does hold weight if you have to go to court over it. another suggestion other than keeping it sealed, is have a few people read what your wrote, then on the last page of the material, have them sign and date it saying they read it.

 

[keith_v]

its not an official copyright, but it does hold weight if you have to go to court over it. another suggestion other than keeping it sealed, is have a few people read what your wrote, then on the last page of the material, have them sign and date it saying they read it.

A very good idea.

One thing I learned after taking a Business Law class, is that when your dealing with copyrights for any creative endeavor, the law is surprisingly flimsy, and anything you can do to prove you were the first to come up with the idea is a good thing. No matter how silly it may seem.

And for any students looking for an extra class to take, check out Business Law. It may sound boring, but believe you me, the things you learn in that class will definetly come in handy in the real world.

 

[Leto Atrides]

Actually, if you're in the US, any creative concept or artwork you create is automatically copyrighted and you own the rights. I would just remember to date it and make sure you have witnesses, such as family and friends, proving that you made it.

This may sound too good to be true, but it's actually in the constition, and can not be over-ruled. I don't remember which article it is, but if I find it, I'll post it.

That's the whole thing, doing this doesn't actually copyright it, it creates proof of when you created it, which is evidence when you bring it into court.

And a better way to do it is send it to yourself Certified Mail, which in addition to being sealed, is on record at the post office as to the date of delivery.

its not an official copyright...

It's not an official registration. If you created it you already have the copyright (except for things like works for hire, things that violate other copyrights, etc.). Copyrights aren't like trademarks or patents, those you have to register. Registration, when it comes to copyrights, just make it much easier to defend in a court case.

 

[keith_v]

That's the whole thing, doing this doesn't actually copyright it, it creates proof of when you created it, which is evidence when you bring it into court.

And a better way to do it is send it to yourself Certified Mail, which in addition to being sealed, is on record at the post office as to the date of delivery.



It's not an official registration. If you created it you already have the copyright (except for things like works for hire, things that violate other copyrights, etc.). Copyrights aren't like trademarks or patents, those you have to register.

Ahh... now I see. Very well put.