I'm just about done with my anthology of short stories and a question pop into my head. Do I get each short story copyrighted separately or just the entire anthology that will be published as a novel? It's going to be ten to twelve short stories by the way.
On Writing : Copyright Question. by John E. Bias
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That's a good question. It sounds like your work would fall under a "collective work." Thus, everything would be protected as a whole extending to the individual works contained within it. As long as the short stories were not previously published separately, a single registration of the anthology should be adequate. But, I'll second what Jeff stated - I'm not an accredited expert.
I wrote a feature anthology script of short scripts and registered it with the U.S. Copyright Office as one file, John E. Bias. Yours is an anthology novel of short stories, so it might be the same, but I suggest contacting the Copyright Office to be sure.
www.copyright.gov/help/
U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C.
20559-6000
(202) 707-3000 or
1 (877) 476-0778 (toll-free)
Copyright each story
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Congrats on finishing the anthology!
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I agree it’s smart to confirm through the copyright office and I would also look on the WGA website as they may have guidelines for additional protections. Congratulations on completing the anthology!!
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John E. Bias John - calling the copyright office itself is easier than most may think. I would encourage you to call them directly. I've done it a number of times myself with questions and they've been very helpful. (202) 707-3000
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I have copyrighted books and screenplays. U.S. copyright Office is what you want 202-707-3000 or 1 877-476-0778 (Toll Free). You need to setup an account and register your work. It is best to do it electronically because it can be copyright in 24hours. There is a standard form to use ($45-$85 single work). You will get the copyright certificate in about three months. Books and screenplays are literary works. ..www.copyright.gov
> Is the copyrighting a US thing? Just curious! - Yes, @D.E.White - To a degree. In the US, you have to register your work in order to copyright it. in the UK, just the act of writing the words is automatically copyrighted.
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If it’s all in the same book then use the copyright for the book itself. It they’re published individually then create copyright for them. I also have an anthology and only copyright the volumes. Once I make a bundle for paperback then the copyright will be established for those.