Filing copyright paperwork

[Nathaniel Phillips]

I am wondering how many of you file copyright paperwork for your books.

I filed for my first novel. The form took some time to fill out. The cost, IIRC, was $35. I am debating whether I should bother filing on my new book. It is ready to publish, but I am holding off until I decide on the filing.

Of course, a literary work is copyrighted as soon as you right it. However, the filing can protect you to some extent if someone else says that they wrote it first. Even if you file, there is nothing stopping someone from claiming to have written it before you filed.

I am interested in your opinions on this.

[ahpellett]

Short answer, I have not.

Longer answer, I have seriously considered it and this is what I concluded. If there is a reasonable chance that someone would copy your work, then go ahead and get a copyright. Think of it as insurance.

I did a poor-man's copyright (sealed postage stamped/canceled manuscript) some years ago. It's said that this would not hold up in court, but I figure it's cheaper than $35 and it's better than nothing. Those with us with egos have to do something ... doncha think?! ;D

[Nathaniel Phillips]

Yes, I keep telling myself that it's worth the $35. So far I've made about $2.47 off of the book. In a couple of years I might break even. I'll probably do it on the new book, too.