How does one copyright their work?

I've been researching a lot of but I can't seem to find a particular website or

somewhere I could go to do this.

The act of creating a work creates the copyright. But in order to enforce the ownership of that copyright, you must register it. The authority with whom you register your copyright varies from country to country. Try a google search on "registering copyright" and the name of your country and you'll find what you need.

 

<Chas>

http://www.copyright.gov/ is about as comprhensive as it gets for US residents.

 

It's also #1 on the Google search list, so it's pretty hard to miss

I've been on that website, and I still don't understand. Do I send in the picture or what? Also how do I get my name to appear on the bottom of my picture like I've seen others do.

try: http://www.editorialphoto.com/copyright/

Once you go to the Copyright office homepage click on the tab "Copyright Basics" it will take you to a page that explains how to register your copyright (along with a lot of other interesting information). Click on the "Copyright Registration" link in the Table of Contents and it will take to the info you need.

 

Dennis

It is not quite correct to say that a copyright is not enforceable without registering it.

 

In fact, in the US, when you create a work that can be copyrighted, it is copyrighted the moment you create it. Whether you note 'copyright xxx, etc' on it or not. Whether you register it or not. PROVING that you created it might be difficult if you never registered your copyright, but it is not a requirement to enforce your copyright if you can prove it by other means.

 

What registering your copyright does is give you the right to recover damages in addition to loss-of-use, which otherwise you could not sue for.

 

You can enforce your copyright without having registered it.

 

You can also 'batch register' many works the same time.

 

I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice, but this is my understanding of US copyright law.

 

The web sites referred to above are most useful. Basically, you send in a CD or prints or copies of your work with a fee and a filled-out registration form. In reality, few of us need to do so.

In order to get your copyright notice to appear at the bottom of your photo, you edit your photo with Photoshop or some similar editing program, go into text mode, and type your copyright information. Again, it is not strictly necessary to protect your work that you do so.

One can not, must not copyright "their work" = the work of others

that is not one's own!

 

It would be illegal and punishable by law.

 

Do not attempt this, please.

 

One can only copyright one's own work. And your own work (photos) is automatically copyrighted at the moment you take a picture. One can register the copyright with the Copyright Office for a fee, however. Google a bit and you will see.

I apperciate all your information. This has helped clear this up. So I don't really need to copyright a photo, ,being if somebody takes it I can't sue anyways or it costs more then it's worth, it sounds like it. I guess I will just put my name on each photo and call it good. Right?

One might ask what your concern is. What is it that you fear happening? You can certain put a copyright notice on your photographs if you wish. In the USA, the format is generally "Copyright (or the copyright symbol), Year, Name. All Rights Reserved." You can also embed copyright information into EXIF data of digital or digitized photographs, which is not visible but is still a copyright notice.

 

Anyone *can* sue anyone else, for anything. The main questions about suing people you have answered yourself - a) will I prevail and b) will it cost more than I can recover?

 

Is there some specific issue that you fear or which has actually happened to you? If so, you might consider consulting an attorney specializing in copyright or intellectual property law. FYI, initial telephone conversations are frequently free.