Tag: Copyright

Wendy Speaks

How to Use the Copyright Symbol When Self-Publishing Your Book

One of the most confusing topics for self-publishing authors is copyright laws. Many authors want to know if they need to place the copyright symbol( © ) into their manuscripts and if so, where. Here is how it works.

Your manuscript is protected by copyright laws as soon as you write it. It does not have to have a symbol to be protected. Most authors trust the people they send their manuscripts to and therefore do need to have the copyright symbol displayed . Also, professionals in the industry, such as publishers or agents, may see you as an amateur since it is not necessary to register your copyright until publication.

However, if you feel more comfortable displaying the symbol on your manuscript, you can. The correct method is to insert the symbol followed by the year and your first and last name. It should appear on the title page only! Do not insert it elsewhere in the manuscript. If you want your manuscript to be treated professionally, it needs to follow the industry format.

It is also important to point out that you do not need to go through the trouble of registering the copyright with the government until the book is published. Most likely, you will make changes to the content of your book before it is published, so you want to wait until everything is finalized before you pay for a copyright.

You can learn more about copyrights at www.copyright.gov.

Also, check out these other posts on the topic.

The Importance of Copyrights and Trademarks for Self-Published Authors

Are Titles Copyrighted?

Six Frequently Asked Copyright Questions

 

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Kelly Speaks

The Importance of Copyrights and Trademarks for Self-Publishing Authors

Mashable.com recently featured a funny story about a trademark dispute between Jack Daniel’s and a author. The article headline is what captured my interest – “Jack Daniel’s Sends the Most Polite Cease-and-Desist Letter Ever” – but the situation itself is a very important lesson for all self-publishing authors, so I wanted to share it with you.

Because the cover of the book was so similar to the classic Jack Daniel’s whiskey label, Jack Daniel’s Properties (which owns the Jack Daniel’s trademarks) contacted the author and kindly asked him to create a new book cover.  They even offered to help with the costs involved.  You can view the cover in question and read a portion of the letter here.

While the Jack Daniel’s company was very kind to this author, this is not always the case with trademark and copyright issues. In fact, a trademark or copyright lawsuit can mean big trouble, and big bucks, for authors who don’t follow the rules.

When publishing your book, it is essential that you consider trademarks and copyrights for both the content and images inside your book as well as those on the cover. You MUST get permission to use work if it is not your own. If you don’t, you could find yourself in court, and no author wants to spend his hard-earned royalties that way!

Do you have questions about copyright or trademark issues?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Wendy Speaks

Are Titles Copyrighted?

I always tell authors to research their titles before choosing one to make sure there are no other books with the same title. Many authors want to know if titles are copyrighted. Titles are not subject to copyright the same way longer works are. However, titles can be trademarked. This is common for books in a series.

Although you could probably legally use a title that has been used by someone else, it is not recommended. When people search your title, you want them to only find your book. Take the time to come up with a unique, memorable title. It will help you sell your book.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Cheri Speaks

Six Frequently Asked Copyright Questions

Copyright is one of the toughest topics for new authors to understand. Many of you have questions about protecting your work as well as using material from copyrighted sources. Here are six of the most frequently asked copyright questions along with answers to get you started. Feel free to share additional questions in the comments section.

Is my manuscript copyrighted when self publishing?

Yes, the copyright for your material was secured as soon as you created it, or when it became fixed in a manuscript for the first time. No publication, registration, or any other official act is required to secure copyright. However, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is recommended.

If copyright is automatic, why should I register for a copyright?

Filing with the U.S. Copyright Office creates a public record of the basic information of your book, which gives you the ability to sue for infringement and statutory damages. This creates a legal presumption that your copyright is valid and allows you to recoup up to thousands of dollars, and possibly attorney fees, without having to prove actual monetary harm.

How do I know if something in my book is copyright protected?

In most cases, any picture, material, text, information, quote, map, song, image, or illustration that you personally did not create is copyright protected by the person(s) who created and/or published the material.  Any text or pictures found in a book, magazine or newspaper is copyright protected by the publisher, artist photographer, or some other entity.  And yes, most information found on the internet is copyright protected.  For example, if you pull material from Wikipedia, it’s copyrighted by somebody.  Wikipedia is a non-profit site, and therefore, can provide information without permission; however, as an author using this information in your book, the original source must be contacted to obtain proper authorization to publish it for profit.

What is Fair Use?

Under “Fair Use,” some copyright protected material can be used without permission; however, there are no clear-cut rules, only guidelines and factors to be considered. Fair use is not a right, only a defense. If you are unsure, please consult a legal advisor or copyright researcher.

 The following four factors are used to determine fair use: 1) The purpose and character of the use, including potential gains for commercial 2) The nature of the original copyrighted work 3) The proportion or percentage of the copyrighted material in relation to the work as a whole 4) The potential effect on the value of the copyrighted material.

Will citing the source of the material free you from copyright infringement?

No!  Citing the source will not avoid possible court litigation.  Permission must be obtained, and you must provide the publisher with the appropriate forms indicating authorization.

How can I avoid being accused of libel?

Stating an opinion is not libelous, though it’s best to be careful not to make an accusatory statement about anyone when using real names. Do not make the following statements, as they are clear grounds for a libel case: Falsely accusing someone of a crime, or having been charged, indicted or convicted of a crime; falsely identifying someone with an infectious disease; falsely charging someone or an organization with a claim that discredits a business or office and lowers their profitability; and falsely accusing someone as being impotent.

Seriously consider if you are self-publishing a book that reveals information that could damage someone, and consult with an attorney or copyright research firm.  If you are publishing a true story, I recommend that you change names and use a pen name when publishing.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Cheri Speaks

Copyright Assistance

When self publishing a book, authors need to be concerned with copyright issues. While self-publishing companies are not legal experts or copyright researchers, they do make recommendations and offer assistance to help authors get the advice they need.

One of the most common mistakes self-publishing companies encounter is authors using website images from “download free photos” websites. Many authors don’t realize these are low resolution images not optimal for a printed hardcopy format or that free downloads are for blogging and website usage, not permissible for printed book publishing.

Another common mistake is authors thinking  that everything on Wikipedia is okay to publish or use; many items will require authorization/permission release from the copyright holder/originator/entity. Song lyrics are also usually copyrighted, so utilizing a copyright research company is the best way for authors to protect themselves.

For more information on copyrights, visit http://www.copyright.gov/. You can also talk to a representative at your self-publishing company. He or she should be able to provide you with the resources you need to answer all of your copyright questions.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.