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Gregath Company,
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Basic Copyright Registration Information
Go directly to Gregath provided FYI - US Copyright Office Gregath Co., Inc. is happy to take care of filing with the US Copyright Office for our customers. The flat fee for this service is $50.00 (Digital Manuscript), with publishing order. For a traditional mailed application, the full service charge is $150.00, with publishing order: includes filling out the form (mailed to you to sign), the actual registration fee, and USPS Priority mailing of the 2 required books to the Library of Congress (production of books not included in this service charge). Services can be provided without a publishing order, but fees vary. Always add copyright information to the verso of the title page during manuscript preparation. Many authors and/or compilers of genealogy and family history books do not fully, formally, register their copyright for various reasons. Some believe the content of their books to be fact (thus not eligible for copyright), public property, too derivative (a compilation of data) or as belonging to the particular family. They hope someone else will continue their work by publishing reprints and succeeding editions. In some cases, a copyright can prevent further publication of important material for many years. This can be both good and bad, depending on the situation. One of many 21st century alternatives to the formal US Copyright is found through Creative Commons. Quite a few authors believe that by Copyrighting their work and sending copies to the Library of Congress that their book will always be available. This is a common misconception. The Library of Congress is under no real obligation to retain any original published material they own. They are required to keep a copy in some form only - not always the original published book. For many years, the act of writing alone has secured an implied copyright. Because of this, if an author does not wish to formally copyright the work, a copyright release statement should still be added to the verso. A formal copyright does get your book information into more hands. It can even be viewed as an easy way to spread the word (marketing) that your book is available for purchase.
ã ã ã Always add copyright information to the verso of the title page during manuscript preparation. The traditional US Copyright registration process to follow actually begins after publication, with filling out the proper form and sending two of your published books (best format published) with a fee to the Register of Copyrights. If your publisher is assisting you in application, make sure the copyright is to be registered in your name, not the publisher. If a formal copyright is desired, visit the Library of Congress Copyright Office website above, or write to the Register of Copyright, Library of Congress, 101 Independence AVE SE, Washington, D. C. 20599-6000, requesting a free copy of General Information of Copyright and the necessary application form, with instructions for completion. They will send you up-to-date copyright information.
ã ã ã Rights of Copyright A copyright holder has five exclusive rights they can retain or authorize others to:
ã ã ã Length of Copyright Copyrighted works prior to January 1, 1978, are valid for a twenty eight year period. These works are copyright renewable through registration or publication, for an additional forty-seven year period. Generally speaking, works created after January 1, 1978, hold a copyright for the author’s life, plus seventy years after death. Work that is anonymous or pseudonymous (unless the author’s identity is revealed in records of the Copyright Office) and with works made for hire, the copyright term is ninety-five years from the date of publication or one hundred twenty years from date of completion, whichever is the least. Copyrights may be for an entire work or any portion thereof. Perhaps the individual holding the copyright only did so with drawings and photos, not text. Here, one might wish to consider a copyright search, through the Copyright Office. ã ã ã Using Copyrighted Materials Should you wish to use materials which are copyrighted, gain the written permission of the holder of the copyright. If you are unsure who holds the copyright or how to contact them, contact the publisher of the material in question. It is always a good idea to give credit or cite your source. While many authors paraphrase copyrighted material, they also cite the source. When it is unknown whether or not material you wish to use is copyrighted, the Register of Copyrights will be happy to make a copyright search, for a fee. Current information as to the procedure is available from the Office of Copyrights. ã ã ã Copyright Theft It is said that there will always be unscrupulous people in the world. Many individuals feel that by copyrighting a work, they are protected. This is not always the case. There are those who do not follow rules, obey laws, or do what the general public would expect them to do. However, the placement of a copyright upon a work does serve to alert the reader that it is protected by copyright laws. If you copyright your work, there is recourse should another violate the copyright laws. Additionally, a printer or publisher has the right to refuse to print or publish work with questionable text, photographs, logos, drawings, etc., which do not appear to have copyright permission to reprint. Be aware that a printer or publisher may require a signed special release form, stating the author takes full responsibility for all copyright liability. As copyright laws change and the larceny of copyrighted material continues to grow, more and more changes will take place. The author should always keep in mind that while a formal copyright does not prevent theft, it does at least, give one some recourse. Placement of Copyright Information Copyright notice can be added any number of ways. There are three required elements, regardless of format:
Book information traditionally is centered on the page, or centered on the upper one-half of the page within the marginal bounds established for the page format. In the case of a newer verso format, where all text is left-justify, Copyright information should be among the first few items at the top of the layout. Here are three suggestions of wording:
Copyright
Ó 1982 ã or ã
Revised Edition No portion of this copyrighted work may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder. ã or ã
Copyright Ó
2007
Photo on page 66 used with
permission No portion of this copyrighted material may be reproduced in any form, for any reason, without the prior written permission of the original copyright holder.
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that helps you through the minefield that can develop in today's society when you wish to retain your rights to Copyright, but wish to have your information shared freely. Gregath Company, Inc. does not endorse or recommend any non-governmental Copyright service. However, this service is quickly becoming the standard for those who want to share their work. As a non-profit, their online tools can get you up and running trying to cover all the legal points on your own. Additionally, taking the verbiage to your lawyer for the final approval may result in lower legal fees than if the legal professional had to start from scratch.
References:
Other traditional optional elements that can positively effect sales: ISBN (Gregath Information) OR http://www.isbn.org Library of Congress Number (Gregath Information) OR http://www.loc.gov
> Home Page > Book Preparation Tips > Getting Started > Copyright Information from Gregath Company This Page Last Updated: January 04, 2012 |
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