Learning how to copyright a book is easy – however, understanding copyright law is complex. The easy part to understand is that an author immediately owns the copyright to their book once their book has been written. Therefore, authors own the copyright to their book before it is even published and before the author takes his or her first glance at copyright registration.
Still, knowing how to copyright a book the rightway through registration still scares most authors. And, for good reason – no one wants their book stolen or plagiarized! After all, if you don’t properly register your book then there is always a chance that someone will steal it.Having someone steal years of hard work and creativity is an author’s worst nightmare (and for good reason!!)
Consider this: a year after publishing your book you are in a bookstore and pick up a random novel. You then notice that the dialogue in this novel sounds familiar. After further inspection, you realize that this book is your book! All of a sudden, your life is a scene from the movie The Words. After finding out someone stole your book you are all caught up in a confusing haze of infringement and copyright laws. Okay, it might not be that dramatic – but regardless, knowing how to protect your book baby will save you a lot of stress and time.
So, I scared you enough and now you want to learn how to copyright the book you have just written. That is a very smart idea! Well, you have come to the right place- This article is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know regarding how to copyright your book and the steps you need to take to actually do it.
How To Copyright A Self-Published Book
Learning how to copyright a self-published book is no different than copyrighting a traditionally-published book. This article is written specifically for self-published authors, so you have come to the right place. As a self-published author you will need to copyright your book yourself, or hire a book coach or self-publishing service provider to do it for you. So, now for the big question…
The Ultimate Guide On How To Get My Book Copyrighted
Every single author needs to get their book copyrighted and registered. The whole process to get your book copyrighted will take under 10 minutes and is very easy to do. Plus, you don’t need a lawyer (which is always a relief to hear).
First, What is Copyright For Books?
Copyright is just as it sounds – the right to copy. Copyrighting a book prevents others from replicating your work and selling it for profit without your consent. Giving your book protection under copyright is the government’s way of saying that your book is original work and helps you ensure that your book will remain your owncreative work and intellectual property (even after it hits the Bestseller list).
How Does Copyright Work For Authors?
There are four exclusive rights that authors possess under copyright. These rights include:
- The right to reproduce their book
- The right to distribute copies of their book
- The right to create a secondary version of their book
- The right to display or perform their book publicly
Copyright protection means that these rights remain yours and nobody else’s unless you choose otherwise. This means that if you sell your book to a publisher you are extending these rights to the publishing company, as well.
In Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, copyright protection on an original book exists the moment an author has created that book. That copyright then extends for 70 years after the author’s death.
So, if an author’s work is protected as soon as they commit words to paper, why do people talk about registering their copyright?
Why Do Authors Need To Register Their Copyright?
Registering your book with your country’s copyright office creates a public record of your authorship. A public record of your book shows the whole world that you are the creator of your intellectual property. Think of registering your copyright as akin to registering your car for insurance.
It is also important to remember that the theft of intellectual property is relatively rare and that the chances of someone stealing your work are very slim. Still, there is a very very very very slim chance that someone will infringe on your rights in the future. Therefore, it is best to be prepared and register your book for copyright, or, in other words, it is better to be safe rather than sorry!
How To Copyright A Book
Remember, your book is copyrighted the moment you write it. However, it is still vital to have proof – which is why you need to register the copyright on your book or else the ownership of your book can become a game of he-said-she-said.Below is how to register the copyright on your book if you are Canadian or American.
How To Copyright A Book In Canada
Registering your book for copyright in Canada not only protects your book in Canada but also throughout the world.
Copyright registration in Canada is easy. All authors need to do is fill out a Copyright Registration Form and pay the $50- $65 fee. The fee is $50 when the application is submitted through the online Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s website, but if you mail in the application then the fee is $65.
Below are steps to registering your book for copyright in Canada:
- Head over to ic.gc.ca
- Scroll down and click on “Intellectual property and copyright”
- Scroll down and click on “Copyright”
- Scroll down and click on “Registering a copyright”
- Create a new account using the “My ISED Account” link or login to your existing ISED account by clicking the blue button marked “Login to the copyright e-filing application” under “Apply”
- If you’re a new user, fill out your information
- Navigate to “Copyright Registration” and select “Register A New Claim”
- Select “Start Registration”
- Fill out the copyright form
- Pay the copyright fee to complete registration
- Submit your finished manuscript to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
In summary, copyright protection is automatic in Canada when you create an original book. However, it is important to spend the 10 minutes it takes to officially copyright your book. It will save you a lot of headache if someone tries to steal your work later on. After all, policing your copyright rights is up to you.
How To Copyright A Book In America
Copyrighting your book in the United States is easy, inexpensive, and should take you no more than 10 minutes. To copyright a book, you have to register your copyright through the Library of Congress.
There is no requirement to register your copyright, but it’s a good idea. It can save you time and money down the road if someone were to dispute your claim to your book.
Below are steps to registering your book for copyright in America:
- Head over to the copyright.gov portal
- Click “Register a copyright”
- Scroll down and click on “Literary Works,” then “Register A Literary Work” on the right-hand side of the page
- Take a minute to create an account with the U.S. Copyright Office if you didn’t do so already
- Go to “Copyright Registration” on the left side of your screen and click on “Register A New Claim”
- Click “Start Registration”
- Complete the form
- Pay the U.S. Copyright Office – online registration will cost $35
- Send in the “best edition” of your manuscript to the U.S. Copyright Office
If you don’t trust the Internet, you can always mail in a paper application. The processing time is 10 – 15 months for paper applications and costs $85.
Once you have taken the above steps, your copyright is registered and it is now public record that you own the intellectual property of your book.
How To Copyright A Children’s Book
The process to copyright a children’s book is almost exactly the same as copyrighting any other type of book. The only difference is that authors of children’s books will need to mail in a physical copy of their book. This will allow the copyright office to match your registration form to your book, as you are also copyrighting the images. You will not be getting the children’s book back once you submit a copy, so do not send them your only copy!
How Much Does It Cost To Copyright A Book?
The cost of copyrighting a book depends on the country you live in. Below is an average price to copyright your book in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada:
- In the United Kingdom the cost of copyrighting a book starts at £42.50.
- In America the cost of copyrighting a book is $35 for online registration and $85 for mail-in registration.
- In Canada the cost of copyrighting a book is $50 for online registration and $65 for mail-in.
Do You Have To Separately Copyright An Ebook?
The quick answer is no, you do not need to separately copyright an ebook. Once you register your book for copyright each and every one of its versions are protected.
How To Copyright A Book Title
The question of how to copyright a book title is extremely common among authors. However, the answer is a bit complicated. First, the correct question authors should be asking is, “Can I trademark a book title?”
The short answer to this is that you cannot trademark the name of a single creative work. For example, if you wrote a book titled Love, you can not trademark this title. However, you can trademark a book title if you write a series of books that use that same title. This is because that title would no longer be considered a single creative work. Examples of trademarks for book titles are Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and Vampire Diaries And of course there are hundreds of other examples out there.
Should Authors Register Their Copyrights Before Publishing Their Books?
YES, I HIGHLY recommend that you register your copyright before you publish your book. It is easy and will ensure that your book is protected. Registering your work will give the world a notice that your book is your intellectual property. If you do not register your copyright and someone plagiarizes your work, you will then need to prove you are the original owner and creator of that book and that someone had access to and copied your ideas.
How To Create A Copyright Page In Your Book
Every published book has and needs a copyright page. The copyright page is typically located on the left hand side page of the title page.
Here is a list of the main items that need to be included on each copyright page:
- The copyright notice
- Edition information
- Printing history
- Publication information
- Year of publication
- Name of the owner of the book
- Author’s website
- Cataloging data (CIP)
- Any legal notices
- Book’s ISBN
- Year and number of printing
- Any credits for design, editing, production, and illustration
- Reservation of rights
- Disclaimers
- Book editions
Why Authors Need To Add A Disclaimer To The Copyright Page In Their Book
It is absolutely essential that every published book includes a disclaimer. This disclaimer will protect you and potentially others. For example, if you are writing a book that gives advice or anything a reader could fail at then you need to add a disclaimer. Books that give financial advice, advice on health, or marketing advice all need a disclaimer. A disclaimer prevents readers who fail at following your advice from blaming and taking action against you. The disclaimer should tell readers that they are reading your book and applying your advice at their own risk. The disclaimer you write doesn’t need to be boring legal babble – it can be quirky and fun. You just need to get the message across.
Fiction books also need a disclaimer added to their copyright page. Disclaimers for fiction books just tell readers that the book is fictional and any resemblance to actual people and/or places is coincidental.
How to Copyright A Book: Here Are 7 Questions Authors Ask About Copyrights For Books
1. Is a copyright for an author’s book valid in other countries?
The US and Canada have copyright relations with most countries throughout the world. UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day highlights the global value of copyright.
2. How long does a copyright last for books?
Books published or created after January 1, 1978 are copyright protected for the author’s whole life plus an additional 70 years. All works published in the United States before 1924 are in the public domain. Works published between 1923 and 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication.
3. Does an author have to renew their copyright?
No – books created on or after January 1, 1978 do not need to be renewed for registration. If books were published or registered before January 1, 1978, renewal registration is optional after 28 years but does not provide any legal advantages.
4. Can I write about real people?
Yes, generally you can use the names of real people as long as the material isn’t damaging to their reputation (i.e. libelous).
5. Can I use lyrics from a song?
If an author wants to use lyrics from a song in their book they need to first get permission. Song lyrics are under strict copyright.
6. Are authors liable for content used in a book?
Yes. Authors are always responsible for the content they write and use in their book.
7. Does an author need permission to use a quote from another author or famous person?
No, authors don’t need permission to use quotes in a book as long as they provide credit to the person who said or created the quote.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of how to copyright a book (without needing to enroll in any legal classes), you can rest easy knowing you have the knowledge to protect your precious work from plagiarism down the road. Remember: your book copyright technically begins once your book is written, but to be on the safe side always register your copyright through the appropriate means in your country before you publish your book and share it with the world. While it may be tempting to rely on other people’s good faith, sacrificing the extra 10 minutes and small fee could save you hours in court and thousands of dollars in legal fees down the road!
If you have questions or want someone from the Talk+Tell team to help you, feel free to contact us directly for a free meeting.
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