This will automatically create copyright protections. In general, all you need to do is create a work of authorship and write it down or otherwise record it somewhere.Examples of works that are not fixed include speeches that are not transcribed and live, unrecorded performances of music.For example, a writing will be fixed when it is printed on paper or when it is stored on a computer.X Research source In order to fix something, you must express it "in a tangible form that is perceptible by the human senses either directly or with the aid of a machine." X Research source Furthermore, it must be permanent or stable enough to allow for it to be "perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated for a period of more than transitory duration." X Research source As part of the creation process, you will need to fix your original work in order for it to be copyrightable. Some may be 95 or 100 years after the authors' deaths. Note that copyright duration in other countries varies, but is generally not less than 50 years from publication or from the death of the author, by treaty.
#HOW TO COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK FOR FREE PLUS#
However, if the work was created in this period but not published, the copyright will last for the life of the author plus 70 years.If your work was published after 1922 but before 1978, it will be protected for 95 years from the date of publication, assuming it was published with the required copyright notice and (if prior to 1964) was properly renewed in the Copyright Office in its 28th year.If your writing was a work for hire (meaning a writing specifically commissioned under a written contract or completed as part of an employment agreement) or is published anonymously, the copyright will last either 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation.For writings created after 1977, a copyright will last for the life of the author (or last surviving author of a joint work) plus another 70 years.Works published in the USA prior to 1923 have no US copyright, other than certain sound recordings covered by state laws until 2067.For purposes of copyright, a writing is considered published when you make it available to the public on an unrestricted basis. The length of time your copyright protections last will depend on when your work was created and whether it was published. When you own a copyright it does not last forever. Understand the time limit associated with a copyright. You cannot use copyright law to prevent someone from making a backup copy of computer software, provided they follow the rules. For instance, you may not use copyright laws to prevent performance of your non-dramatic songs in a church ceremony, or certain non-profit performances.
#HOW TO COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK FOR FREE SOFTWARE#
Many software products are therefore not actually "sold", but rather "licensed" to end-users, often restricting the right of further resale. Your rights are also limited by "first sale", meaning you cannot prevent others from reselling copies of your works, once you have sold them.X Research source That means that other people can use some or all of your original work for various limited purposes including: Your rights to a copyrighted work are limited by the "fair use" doctrine, among other things.When you own a copyright to an original work of authorship, you have the exclusive right to distribute, reproduce, perform, license, and display your work, and also to prepare secondary works based on your work. Recognize the rights associated with a copyright.