Understanding Copyright Laws
Copyright laws exist to protect authors from having their works copied or used without their consent. Poets are covered under the same copyright laws that protect other types of works, such as songs and books. To protect their poems from being used without permission, poets should take steps to copyright their work, including registering their copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Unfortunately, registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office can be an expensive process, often costing hundreds of dollars or more in fees. Thankfully, there are a few free or low cost options that poets can use to protect their work.
Registering with Library of Congress
The Library of Congress, a national library of the United States, offers a free copyright registration system known as “The Copyright Office Instant Copyright Registration Database”. This system is open to both US residents and non-US residents, and enables authors to register and protect their work in a matter of minutes.
The Copyright Office Instant Copyright Registration Database is a great option for poets who need to copyright their work quickly and for free. All that is required to register is a working email address and a copy of the work you wish to copyright. Once these items are submitted, the Library of Congress will send a confirmation email that your work has been registered.
Registering with the U.S. Copyright Office
The US Copyright Office provides the most comprehensive copyright protection and is the most widely recognized form of copyright. Unfortunately, it also requires the most paperwork and can be the most expensive option available.
The process begins with filing a form known as Form CO. This form must be filled out online, and all information provided must be accurate. Once the form is completed, there is also a filing fee of around $50-$65 that must be paid before the registration can be processed. Special reductions are available for certain types of works, including poems. Once the form and fee are received, the Copyright Office will assign a registration number and send a confirmation letter.
Using Copyright.gov
Copyright.gov is the official website of the U.S. Copyright Office. Here, authors can find all of the necessary forms and information needed to properly copyright their work. The website also offers helpful tutorials for filling out the various forms and provides tips on how to copyright work quickly and efficiently.
Copyright.gov is also a great resource for poets who are looking to copyright their work for free. The website provides information on all of the free options available, as well as information on how to use them.
Using Copyright Office Apps
The Copyright Office also offers a number of free apps that can help authors quickly and easily copyright their work. These apps, such as Copyright Genie and Copyright Engine, allow authors to copyright their work by answering a few simple questions. The apps are quick and easy to use, and make it easy for authors to copyright their work without paying a fee.
Self-Copyrighting Your Work
Self-copyrighting is another alternative for poets looking to protect their work for free. Self-copyrighting involves sending a copy of your work to yourself via registered mail and then keeping the copy of the work in the envelope unopened. This method creates a sort of “time stamp” for the work, proving that you were the author of the work at a certain date and time. While self-copyrighting is not a legally registered copyright, it may be useful in cases where a dispute arises.
International Copyright Protection
Poets looking to protect their work elsewhere in the world should look into the international copyright system known as the Berne Convention. This agreement is made between a number of different countries and offers copyright protection to authors in each of these countries.
The Berne Convention is a great option for poets who want to protect their work internationally. It is important to note that this system only works if the poet’s home country has signed and ratified the Convention.
Conclusion
For poets looking to copyright their work for free, there are a variety of options available. From registering with the Library of Congress to using mobile apps, there are many ways to copyright a poem without paying a fee. It is important for poets to remember that whatever option they choose, the work is not fully protected until it is officially registered with the Copyright Office.
I would like to read your work and hopefully you can read some of mine a newcomer.