Copyright Basics

Copyright is the legal protection that applies to original creative works, including novels, poems, essays, blog posts, and more. In many countries, copyright arises automatically as soon as your work is created in a fixed form (for example, written down or saved to your computer), without needing to file anything. This is the case in the US; however, having official registration with copyright does provide an extra level of protection when it comes to legal action if it is ever needed.

At a high level, copyright gives you certain exclusive rights: to reproduce your work, distribute it, publicly share or perform it, and create adaptations or derivative works. These rights are limited by exceptions (like fair use or fair dealing), which can vary by country.

Copyright protects the expression of your ideas (the actual words you write), not the general idea or concept itself. Two writers can both write stories about time-traveling librarians; copyright applies to your specific characters, plot, and wording, not the broad premise.

Registering Your Copyright

In many places, you own copyright in your work as soon as you create it. However, formal registration can offer extra benefits, such as a public record of ownership and additional options if you ever need to enforce your rights.

Typically, registration involves submitting a copy of your work, completing an application, and paying a fee to the relevant copyright office. The process can vary depending on where you live and whether you are registering a single work, a collection, or multiple pieces.

Not every writer chooses to register every piece, but it is often worth considering for works you plan to publish widely, monetize, or use as the foundation for a long-term writing career.

Using Copyright Notices

While not always legally required, a clear copyright notice on your work can signal that you take your rights seriously and remind others that your writing is protected. It also helps readers understand who owns the material and what year it was created or published.

A simple notice might look like this: © [Year] [Your Name or Pen Name]. All rights reserved. You can adapt the wording if you are using a specific license, such as Creative Commons, to invite certain types of sharing or remixing.

Place your notice where readers can easily see it: on your book’s copyright page, at the bottom of your website or blog posts, inside downloadable PDFs, or in the credits of digital content.

As a note: copyright is separate from obtaining an ISBN

Protecting Unpublished Work

Drafts, outlines, and works-in-progress are also protected by copyright once they are fixed in a tangible form. Still, it is wise to build simple habits that help you document and safeguard your creative process.

Consider saving dated copies of your manuscripts, using reliable cloud backups, and keeping notes about when you started and finished major drafts. These records can help you show a timeline of your work if questions ever arise.

When sharing your work with beta readers, critique partners, or editors, share only what is necessary and use trusted channels. You may also choose to use terms of use on your website or simple written agreements for collaborations.

If you share your work with beta readers, one common place is through Google Drive. If you plan to share in this form, please take the following steps:

1. Click on the share button and then the gear (settings)
2. Make sure the check mark next to access is not selected
3. This makes sure when you share your work with another, they are unable to download your work from the platform or copy the text

To protect your work from AI in Google Drive (yes, your Google Drive is automatically compromised unless you opt out of AI use; they have access to your work):

1. Go to the Google Drive home page and select the settings gear symbol
2. Under settings, go to Manage apps
3. Scroll to the tabs for Gemini (there are two) and uncheck the boxes to remove their access to use your work on their AI platform
4. If you do not go in to change this, the platform has the ability to use your work to feed into AI, you are automatically opted in and have to individually opt out (yes, this sucks).

For protection across other platforms, feel free to reach out and ask me!

What to Do If Your Work Is Stolen

Discovering that your work has been copied without permission can be upsetting and overwhelming. Having a calm, step-by-step plan can help you respond thoughtfully rather than react in the heat of the moment.

Start by gathering evidence: take screenshots, save URLs, and note dates and locations where your work appears. Then, check the platform or publisher’s policies—many websites and marketplaces have procedures for reporting copyright concerns.

In some cases, you might send a polite takedown request or use a platform’s reporting form to ask that the infringing content be removed. For more complex situations, you may wish to consult a qualified legal professional in your area who can offer advice based on your specific circumstances.

Have Questions? Join the Conversation

Protecting your work can feel complicated, but you do not have to figure it out alone. If you have questions, want to share your own experiences, or simply need reassurance, you are warmly invited to join the discussion in our community forum.

You can find me on:

• TikTok: @seliseemowlind
• Instagram: @wolleywrites
• Ask about our writing group on Discord!