What is a copyright? Copyright is simply the exclusive legal right to make copies of certain types of works for a specific period of time. If you’re an author, this means that no one else can publish your book during the same time period as you. For musicians, it means you can stop someone from recording cover songs or playing your original compositions at their live shows during that timeframe.
So what does this have to do with anything? You may be able to copyright your idea so that nobody steals it and turns it into lots and lots of money without giving you any of the credit.
1 – Through the Copyright Office: Protect your work through registration with the Copyright Office. You can apply online or download forms and submit them by mail or fax.
2 – Through State Government: Protect your work through registration at the state level in certain states, where some industries require this for certain projects.
3 – Through the Disclaimer on Your Website: Protect your work through registration with the Copyright Office without needing to register official copyright under federal law. All you have to do is include a clear disclaimer on your website or other public media, such as social media or a business card, that states something like “All Rights Reserved.” This only protects your full name and doesn’t prevent someone from stealing and publishing your work; it simply prevents them from claiming they created it and stopping others from using it.
4 – The Power of Publicity: Don’t claim authorship of anything except what’s already been released into the public domain (ideas such as those in historical artifacts). If someone steals your idea, don’t scream copyright your idea. Instead, whisper the power of publicity into your enemies’ ears. Threaten to discuss your case with bloggers and major media outlets if they don’t leave you alone, then follow through on that threat — especially if they have anything negative to say about you on their websites.
5 – Learn How to Use Creative Commons: Look up the Creative Commons license associated with any content you want to use or share. If it’s free, go ahead and use it; if not, stay away and snip off the “All Rights Reserved” disclaimer from its virtual head with a guillotine of public humiliation.
These are just a few ways to protect your work. If protecting yourself and your content is important to you, be sure to do your research and make the best decision for your specific needs.
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