A question of copyrights

[ShadowDaemon]

Ive been writeing a story I think Id like to have posted here for a while. the thing is though, its turning into something big and (suprisingly) good, based on feedback from friends ive let read it in progress. so now ive started thinking, is there a specific process I have to go through to get this copyrighted, or does that come with posting it here? Or do I even need to be worried? if I could get some idea on how to proceed with this, then you all can expect a long(10 part) series of stories sometime soon.

s~D

 

[Weird Harold]

Ive been writeing a story I think Id like to have posted here for a while. the thing is though, its turning into something big and (suprisingly) good, based on feedback from friends ive let read it in progress. so now ive started thinking, is there a specific process I have to go through to get this copyrighted, or does that come with posting it here? Or do I even need to be worried? if I could get some idea on how to proceed with this, then you all can expect a long(10 part) series of stories sometime soon.

s~D

The copyright exists as soon as you write it. If you want to formally register the copyright, it's a $30 fee and some paperwork.

There is a long discussion about copyrights and links to several authoritative sources -- including an online copy of the form and procedure for registering a copyright -- here: http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105511

 

[pinklipstick]

You can also do what's called a poor man's copyright by mailing your completed work to yourself via snailmail. Do NOT open the envelope as it will be posted with a date. If ever there is a question about you writing it, this would provide evidence you had written it by the date posted on envelope.

 

[tenyari]

If you're worried abut it being stolen, give up.

If it's good, and fits a popular enough fetish; it will happen and you will likely find yourself powerless to stop it.

The only weapon you really have is the knowledge that you've posted it somewhere for free (if you do so) and all those people paying for it are fools... or victims of a con game. Not really much in the way of consolation because it's really telling you that not only you, but your potential readers as well are both victims of the thief.

As others have said, it's copyrighted the moment you write it. Enforcement is another matter.

Often times people track down illegally stolen works and get together with the legal owners to go after the thieves only to be laughed off...

The ISPs of these people will often ignore you, some of them may even go after -you- claiming you stole the story from the thief, in an effort to shut you up. They can't go too far down this line if they know they're in the wrong... but truely stopping them may in the end require you to reveal your true name and what it is you've been writing in a court somewhere... Most authors are not willing to sacrifice their privacy to stop them.

As such, the thieves of erotica tend to get away scott-free.

There was an artical in 2000 on Salon.com about this:
http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2000/10/10/stolen_porn/print.html