  |
|||
|
|
|
||
|
Posted by KC Morgan Apr 17, 2006 |
Anyone who has ever come up with a creation or invention has pondered the necessity of copyrighting their materials. Copyrights apply to writing of all kinds - slogans, songs, poems, short stories, greeting cards. Every single copyright that is taken out by any individual is on file with the Library of Congress. And yes, they are extremely important.
Without a copyright, your writing isn't yours. Even if you are published, no matter what your material may be, nine times out of ten the copyrighting expense will fall on your shoulders. You created it, you pay to copyright it, and that's probably as it should be. The process is simple and forms can be printed out, courtesy of the Library of Congress, on your home computer. A fee is paid, a copy of the work given, and six weeks later you've got the copyright in your legal name. The rules aren't so hard and fast in an Internet medium, not all the time, but if you want to have complete legal control over your writing then take out a copyright. Any company or publisher you sell your writing to will usually have their own information and standards that apply to the copyright in their contracts. A logo, an image, a design, trademarks generally apply to artwork, and the same is true for trademarks.
It is important, especially when it comes to earning residual income, that you protect your rights. To be sure you earn all that you deserve, protect your materials legally.