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Copyrights |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois 
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Seeing as how we've run into this problem with our poetry, I thought I'd start another thread here, for those who need to find out about getting their work legally copyrighted. It doesn't cost much, so if you haven't done it, look here. http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/ The cost is about $30 for a 'collective' work. You can print the forms you need from the computer. You do however need Acrobat Reader. If you don't have that, you can download it free off the website. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Good idea....I will most definitely look into this. I'm wondering, however....if my poems have been stolen, can I still copyright them? |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Thanks Rebecca. I posted this in the other thread earlier, but I've copied it here for the Canadian link also. Prior to posting any of my poetry on the internet, as a Canadian, I filed with the CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office), and have a Copyright Certificate of Registration, which covers a compilation of my writings. The cost at the time was $65 Canadian. It simply gave me an added layer of protection and comfort prior to posting my work on the internet, in anticipation of what we are discovering. For anyone requiring further information, this is the direct link to the CIPO for Canadians, where you can review the information, applications etc: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mrksv/cipo/cp/cp_main-e.html |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
I have a question too. Since I did copyright a grouping/collection of my work, as I continue to write, do I need to amend anything, add to it, or re-apply for anything as I go, or does this original copyright assume and cover all my continued new writings as well ... I'm not quite clear on that. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Kit, from what I understand, it only covers the works you sent in to be copyrighted. So if you write more poems after the ones you've sent in, you must then compile the others and get them copyrighted as well. The link above goes into detail on who can copyright, what is copyright, and a whole bunch of other things. You might want to check that out. Elizabeth, if you wrote those poems, and someone stole them, they're still your poems. Take the ones you have, go to the website, and print out the form to send in for your copyright. If you do a collective work, then each title will NOT be listed. Only the name which you give to the whole works. Say I take all my poetry, and send it for a collective © (which I need to do), and I name it Rebecca's Poetry. Everything I sent in under "Rebecca's Poetry" will be ©. Even though I've sent in each poem, it WON'T list each individual title. Let me find the link to the form for poetry, and I'll put that up here. It will make it a lot easier. I do recommend however that you go look and read at the site above. It will explain, and answer a lot of questions. Here's the link to the poetry form, with instructions. http://www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/formtxi.pdf [This message has been edited by WhtDove (edited 03-07-2001).] |
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
I think it's great that you posted this WhtDove and my thanks to Kit as well... ~coco~ |
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Acies
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-07
Posts 7665Twilight Zone |
Wonderful idea WhtDove  "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this give life to thee." W.S. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
With each new 'collection' that I write I send them off to the Copyright Office. The last group that I sent had 100 poems in it, so $30. doesn't seem too expensive for that many! The forms are very easy. I ordered them over the phone and had them in a few days. Most people can use the short form. The directions are printed clearly right on the forms themselves. (tax forms should be so simple!), Anyway, even if you don't officially register them with the Library of Congress you still own the Copyright to anything that you have written. It is to your advantage, though, to have them registered prior to an infringement. Once an infringement has been discovered you will have to get your poems registered prior to going to court, anyway, and if you don't have them registered prior to an infringement, you cannot sue for court costs and attorney fees, whereas if you have them registered prior to an infringement you can sue to recover those costs. So get those forms in before anything else gets 'lifted'. [This message has been edited by Denise (edited 03-07-2001).] |
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Dopey Dope
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Well.......I don't have $30.....sucks to be me.  I was born myself, raised myself, and will continue to be myself. The world will just have to adjust. I'm in love with my shadow I admire it daily |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Speaking of credit, it really goes to Dream-eagle. He's the one who posted the link in the other topic. I was thinking of starting another thread on copyrights anyhow. I know we've had this discussion before, but seems worthwhile bringing up again now, in light of all that's happened. Happy © all! |
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Dream-eagle Junior Member
since 2001-03-07
Posts 34Indiana, USA |
SHE ¦Þ |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Yes, and Ron has also always had the link under FAQ at Passions. I think most of us get so wrapped up in reading poetry we don't browse around the rest of Passions to see all the helpful information there. In light of recent happenings, I think everyone should get on the ball with registering their work. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the form. The most tedious part is listing all your poems in an index for your collection, which is required when submitted as a collection, but for the peace of mind you will obtain, it is worth it. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
 sorry Dream-Eagle! |
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Dream-eagle Junior Member
since 2001-03-07
Posts 34Indiana, USA |
It's okay.. It is a rather unisexual name. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Becky, did you know that Dream-eagle has the same first name as you?  |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
umm, nope. Sure didn't Thanks for telling me though. Hi Becky, or is it Rebecca? Or the many other names we're given? LOL Which do you prefer?[This message has been edited by WhtDove (edited 03-07-2001).] |
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Dream-eagle Junior Member
since 2001-03-07
Posts 34Indiana, USA |
I go by Becky or Dreamer. Both IRL and when I am playing in my band they introduce me as Dreamer so it stuck in real life as well. Dream-eagle just sounds so formal hehe. Becky |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Thank you Kit for the information for us Canadian poets I have a question for anyone: once you have the copyright and later down the road you decide to re-write or edit your copyrited poem, is it still legally copyrighted or is it considered a new poem that must be copyrighted again? Melissa~ The beauty of poetry gives my soul wings to fly free within dreams ~Melissa P. Monette~ |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Melissa that's a very good question! One in which I don't have the answer to. I can only give my opinion. I would think one the one hand because you have that poem ©, and the title stays the same, it would still be copyrighted. But then again, you are changing the wording in it again. Just to be on the safe side, I would send it in for copyright. I'll try to check on that question for you. It's a very good question. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
I'm afraid you'll have to call this number to ask the question. I went through the web site and didn't see an answer to such a question. Here's the number: Information by telephone: For general information about copyright, call the Copyright Public Information Office at (202) 707-3000. Information specialists are on duty from 8:30 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. Monday through Friday, eastern time, except federal holidays. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
~Thank you Rebecca for your help |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Changing a work (or even writing a sequel) would fall under "derivatives" and should still be protected. However, when you look at this in real life, we find that all authors and publishers seem to go that extra step. Asimov immediately comes to mind, but there are many others, authors who have gone back twenty years after writing something and made major updates to it. And if you look at the copyright on those books, there are always two dates stipulated: the original date and the revision date. |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Hmm... I wonder if anyone has the answer to my question: Can I, being Dutch and not living in the United States, send in my work for registration? As far as I understand the laws on copyright in my own country, any work published in print falls (is covered LOL I don't know the correct English expression for this!) automatically under Dutch copyright law. For any work "published" on the internet there are still no clear rules, but I think this is a worldwide problem. Is their someone out there who has the answer to this, or should I just send them a "snail" mail letter to find out? Munda |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Munda, I can call for you and ask, but do you have something like the "Library of Congress" out by you? Somewhere that does copyrights, I'm sure you'd have one out there. But I understand your dilemma, and I'll let you know what I find out. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Ok Munda, I just called the copyright office and asked if you're living in the Netherlands could you U.S. copyright. The answer is YES! So go ahead if you will and print out the forms, you can send them in and get them copyrighted.  |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Ah, thank you Rebecca! You're the best! Our copyright law is a little different then yours. Like I said, the minute something is published in print it's automatically protected by copyright, but I cannot register like with you in the U.S.A. I'm glad I can register in the States though. This way I can have my work registered and my country does acknowledge your copyright laws. I'm happy! [This message has been edited by Munda (edited 03-12-2001).] |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Hm... I do have another question.  In the collection I'd like to register there are also 2 co-written poems. I found these instructions on sheet/form FL106:"Published collections of poetry and all other copyrightable elements of a unit of pub-lication may be registered on a single form with a single fee if all of the poems are owned by the same copyright claimant. Unpublished collections of two or more poems may be submitted for registration on a single form with a single fee and deposit of one complete copy or phonorecord only if all of the following conditions are met: 1. The elements are assembled in an orderly form; 2. The combined elements bear a single title identifying the collection as a whole; 3. The copyright claimant in all of the elements and in the collection as a whole is the same; and 4. All of the elements are by the same author, or, if they are by different authors, at least one of the authors has contributed copyrightable authorship to each of the elements. Registration of an unpublished collection of compositions extends the benefits of reg-istration to each copyrightable selection in the collection, but only the collection title ap-pears in the Copyright Office catalogs and indexes." Does this mean I may include them in the collection (with permission of the other authors of course) as long as "part" of the poem is written by me? LOL I'm getting all confused! Thanks for your time and patience though. Munda |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I believe that if there are several authors you need to list them as well as co-authors of the collection and you need to complete the long form instead of the short form. What you may want to do is to submit the poems that are strictly your own in one submission and then the collection with the other authors seperately as another submission. That way the other authors won't be down as co-authors of the ones that are strictly done by you, but only as co-authors of the ones that they wrote with you. Do they have a link online where you can ask questions? I don't remember seeing one. I'd offer to call them for you but I'm not home during the day when they are open and I can't make long distance calls from work. Maybe someone else can call for you. |
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