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Do you want to learn how to copyright a book you wrote? That’s most likely a good idea. You don’t want to find yourself in this nightmare situation a year from now: you’re in a bookshop and you pick up a random novel. The dialogue strikes you as being familiar.
Authors are frequently intrigued about copyright, but it’s so complicated that few are ready to go into it. It doesn’t have to be an author’s first concern. If you’re self-publishing a book, however, it’s up to you to educate yourself on all elements of the business, including intellectual property protection.
Is Copyright Compulsory?
When books are published, this right protects others from copying and selling your work (for profit or not) without your permission.
When your book is copyright protected, it is a legal means of discouraging anyone from attempting to duplicate it. This also guarantees that this book remains your unique creative work and intellectual property even after it has been made public.
How to Copyright your Book?
A registration process is required to obtain copyright for your publication. However, this is not the case in every nation. We’re trying to attach you to two countries’ processes in particular.
India
- To login, enter your valid User ID and Password.
- If you haven’t already done so, go to NewUser Registration.
- After logging in, go to the “Click for online Copyright Registration” option.
- Fill out the “Copyright Registration Form” online.
- The Diary Number will be produced when the form has been successfully submitted.
- Your book should be in PDF format and be under 5 MB in size.
How to Get a Copyright for a Self-Published Book in India?
- The ‘Indian Copyright Office’ is where you should register your book.
- Fill up an online application and submit it along with a Rs 500 fee.
- Copies of your completed work, identification verification, and a work information page should all be included in your copyright application.
- A diary number will be generated after your application is complete. Within 30 days, your application will be evaluated to see if it may be accepted or denied.
United States
- Visit the copyright.gov website.
- Select “Literary Works” from the left box.
- On the right sidebar, click “Register a Literary Work.”
- Choose between “New user” and “Login using your account” (if you already have one).
- Select “Register A New Claim” from the left-hand menu under “Copyright Registration.”
- Choose “Start Registration”.
- Fill out the copyright application.
- To finalize the registration, pay the $85 copyright charge.
- Send your completed work to the U.S. Copyright Office.
Conclusion
Should you register your book before sending it to your publisher?
Before showing your book to editors or agencies, you are not required to register it.
They may, however, transform into the Night-Thief and steal your book! Don’t be concerned. There are two reasons for this: To begin with, throughout the editing process, your book will undergo significant modifications and edits.
Second, an agent has no motive to take your work unless you’re dealing with con artists. They’ve already figured out a great way to earn money from you: commission! Professionals in the publishing industry are unlikely to risk their reputations in the hope of making a profit by stealing your book.
The US Copyright Office does, however, advocate for “timely registration,” which involves registering within three months of the work’s publication date, or before any infringement occurs.
Now that you’ve gained some information, it’s up to you to take whatever precautions you think are required to safeguard your work.
We think that a productive author is one who is well-informed.
-Isabell S.
