# Copyrights for Creative Works: Poetry, Novels, Short Stories **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 4, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941 "2006-02-04T02:33:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MessyPaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941/1 "2006-02-04T02:33:44Z")
Perhaps some old timers could link me to threads if the stampede has already trampled through. – I would like to understand my rights as the creator of a written work. I want to begin displaying written works (poetry, stories) on art communities around the net and also read them at open mics, etc- to get some feedback. I’m not really paranoid about people stealing the work, but I would like to be able to sleep well at night by understanding the basics of what I should be doing before I start throwing this stuff around. Does a person need to obtain a copyright once a poem/story is written? If so, how do I obtain one? Is this all the protection one needs for written works? Thank Ya ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941/2 "2006-02-04T02:47:14Z")
Copyright obtains at the moment you create a work. There is no need for you to take any further action to protect it, but going through the copyright registration process would make it much easier for you to fight infringements. You would register your copyright (if you’re in the United States) through the Copyright Office. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941/3 "2006-02-04T03:00:32Z")
The [FAQ page](http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/) at that site is particularly useful for you to read if you’re interested in learning more about copyright. From the FAQ: > [@](#): > > Do I have to register with your office to be protected? > No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.” > > Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic? > Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney’s fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works. Registration costs $30 per item. For all practical purposes, it buys you nothing more than the right to spend thousands of more dollars on a lawsuit for statutory damages. Essentially, that’s an extra award beyond any actual money lost that serves as a disincentive to violators, somewhat similar to punitive damages. There are some reasons to register copyrights, but virtually none of them have anything to do with amateur non-commercial stories and poems. In short, don’t worry about it. You are as fully covered by doing nothing as you would be by registration. ---
**Author:** ![MessyPaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941/4 "2006-02-04T05:14:19Z")
thanks otto, mapcase exapno, would you be willing to hint me in on some good spots online to share work? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941/5 "2006-02-04T15:37:56Z")
That’s a big question. There are sites for every kind of fiction imaginable: science fiction, romance, media character-based, poetry, short fiction, short short fiction, experimental, historic, etc. and etc. and et al. It would help if you gave an exact description of what you write. Even so, you would have to hope that lots of others beside me read the thread. ---
**Author:** ![MessyPaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyrights-for-creative-works-poetry-novels-short-stories/342941/6 "2006-02-04T21:20:05Z")
it is kind of you to always be open. i see what you are telling me and i’m going to go and take the time to begin working through all of this. I would like being introduced more.