You Want to Copy Something That is Copyrighted?
WE WON’T DO IT
It is just plain and simple. We won't break the law. For anything or anyone. If you have something that holds a copyright on it, we will decline to copy the project. You must provide copyright release from the original creator or publisher. This is possible to do by simply writing a letter to the author with your intent, and they will respond either with a royalty fee request or with blessings. You will be required to provide us a copy with permissions (along with proof of payment), and this will be kept on file.
Copyright Facts - Avoid Breaking the Law
GETTING PERMISSION BEFORE COPYING OTHERS WORK THAT IS PROTECTED
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Copyright refers to the author's or creators of all sorts such as writers, artists, photographers, film producers, composers, and programmers, exclusive right to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, and publicly perform and display their works. These rights may be transferred or assigned in whole or in part in writing by the author. The U.S. Copyright Act gets its authority from Article 1, Section 8, cl. 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
What is “fair use”?
Fair use is an exception to the exclusive protection of copyright under American law. It permits certain limited uses without permission from the author or owner. Depending on the circumstances, copying may be considered “fair” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research.
To determine whether a specific use under one of these categories is “fair,” courts are required to consider the following factors:
- The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
- The nature of the copyrighted work
- The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole (is it long or short in length, that is, are you copying the entire work, as you might with an image, or just part as you might with a long novel)
- The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work
FAQ on CopyrightMore info on blank forms
Copyright Facts
PROTECTING YOUR WORK
In the United States and most other countries, a work is automatically protected as soon as it is created. It is not required that you register your work or even provide a notice. So why “waste” your time and money registering for something you already have? There are some very compelling reasons…
- Ability to sue even though your protection is automatic; you cannot actually sue for infringement of your copyright unless you have registered your work. You can, however, register after infringement as long as it is before filing suit. In this instance you would be eligible to sure for “actual Damages” (damages that you can demonstrate having actually suffered), which may or may not be significant.
- Statutory damages. If you register prior to the date of infringement, you can collect “Statutory Damages” and attorney fees. Statutory Damages are defined in the statute and determined by the judge, and depending on the situation could be quite substantial.
Click Here for more information on how to copyright your work.
What is a Copyright notice?
A notice is a simple and free way to post notification that your work is under copyright protection. In a lawsuit litigation this notice will keep an infringer from claiming “innocent infringement.” Innocent infringement simply means the infringer had no reason to believe their acts constituted infringement. Whether you register or not, this notice should be on all of your published work.
A proper notice consists of three things:
- The “copyright symbol” C with a circle around it or the word “copyright”, or the abbreviation “copr.”
- The year of first publication
- The name of the copyright owner. Example: ©2010 John Smith
How do I Register my Book for Copyright in the U.S.?
(We suggest filling in the application online, it is faster and cheaper, around $35, and takes only nine months.)
Download form “TX” from the Library of Congress website at:
Print form on white, letter-sized paper. Fill in form completely, typing or using black ink pen. Send in to Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington DC 20559-6000.
Your registration becomes effective on the day that the copyright office receives your application, payment, and copies. If your application is in order, you will receive a certificate of registration within 22 months.
