Do you Copywrite your articles?

I'll try that - I know 5 or so years ago I wrote a poem, I did it in the middle of the night and it was the only poem I've ever written. I have it on my web site and a couple years later this lady contacted me said she was honored I liked her poem but would appreciate it if I gave her credit... I know I wrote that poem and the timing when she claimed she wrote it was over a year after I had not only written it but also read it in front of our church on Easter Morning, that service is broadcast on the radio and I have tape of the service...

hi! fast response! i hope you can look for it.please, do inform me if you have found that software.have a good weekend!

I've been busy busy busy today popping on myLot for breaks now and then - I've accomplished a ton of things I've been wanting to do though, just happened to time my break at same time you responded:)

i do miss chatting with you. i see to it to post at least once here on mylot.

That's an awfull thing that Lady that. Knowing she did not write the poem, asking you to take it of your website. I can't understand why people do such things. it seems that a lot of people have little respect for other peoples effort and respecting their belonging. The fact that you digitalized it does not mean it is out there for just anyone to take.

Hummm, now I'm just a bit curious as to why you'd say something like this my friend tigerdragon. Why would you say that someones material can be copied even if it's copyrighted? Supposedly the copyright is to protect the material from this happening. It seem a bit odd to me that anyone could do something like this and get away with it furthermore excuse my english but it just ain't right.

Very true it does do that and yep type everything on my pc before putting it online. Also sad but true about people stealing other people's work - very frustrating.

I wrote Class room Lesson plans that were used at a number of schools, but the work (mine) I did not get credit for.

So even those who teach about protecting ones work will STEAL.

These were Government Schools.

Just another HICCUP in ones life.

HICCUP/

Yea that would me annoying although I'm sure they would say you were paid at the time and that made it their's... I wrote as a ghost writer for a couple of years but one day I came across one of 'my' e-books for sale online with someone else's name on it and it killed me. I agreed to the work and was paid well but emotionally it took a lot out of me.

Yes that is right that most everything is stolen one way or another in writing. But that still does not make it right.. A person should feel free to express one's thoughts without someone taking it from them.. But in the ways of today, everything needs to be short cutted... But if we as writers, do not take a stand in what we believe in... What will be next???

Some of my stuff, stories, I've already posted on AC and helium but want to start promoting them along with other work more and got thinking about the copywrite thing. 99.99% of what I do online is share with others so certainly don't want to 'stop' that. Too often though you are right and the internet brings out the worst in people.

I thought I remembered reading something like that at one time but was several years ago and not sure if I was remembering right or not. So places like AC where the author's name is posted on the articles automatically copywrites that piece?

As for my 'claim of theft' I did some major searching online and found this ladies name on several pieces but nothing anywhere's near similar to my poem. Every now and then I check around to see if she has posted it any place but so far hasn't. I did email her back explaining when and the situation underwhich I wrote the poem and never heard from her again.

Yes, anywhere it's published creates a copyright, even if it's your own blog. I think the only place that isn't copyrighted is on a public forum, then the material is usually claimed by whoever owns the forum.

That's nice to know and does relieve my mind a bit thank you.

Friend above your response says once we've published under our name it is automatically copywritten. I do save all my originals which have date stamp on them so if push came to shove I would prevail.

That's a good idea doing it as a collection but I wonder if I would need to have it complete - right now I'm doing a story here a story there. If I had to do that I would have to wait until it was finished and at that time I'll be looking for a publisher or checking into self publishing.

From what you've said though as well as others I think as long as I save my originals with date stamp from MS I can prove I wrote it and anyone else claiming it will be in big trouble.

Yes, a "poor boy's copyright" will stand up in a court of law! You can easily self publish too. Even if you self publish registering the copyright is a good idea. Just save up a "book's worth" how many you want. Give it a title of some sort and register it. As long as you put a copyright notice on everything you write it is protected and if someone tries to use or steal it.. if you have the (C) notice on it then they will be in trouble. If you do not put the notice on the item, they can claim they did not know!

"poor boy's copyright" I like that well 'poor girl's copyright' I will have to remember to add the (C) to my work. Thank you so much for your information.

You are more than welcome!!! I hope all the best for you and your writing!

Thank you so much I think the biggest problem I have is lack of self-confidence but I have a group of friends trying to help me in that area.

Well, from what others have said it's copywritten as soon as you write it. I know on the internet there are always going to be those trying to get something for nothing - there've even been people who plagerized myLot discussions and responses that's sad.

I think the reason why there is some money involved to get a copy right is to keep people that are just trying to use the system out... Copy writing everything so then we can not say anything at all, for the fear of it being copyright infringment.. It really stinks though for people that really have good ideas but no money to protect them... I think there would be a good way of protecting both the intergite of the writer's gulid and us the people who can not afford it... Make like a club that you have to pay a flat fee of so much, then you could have so many copy rights a year... after verification.. meaning someone just putting some junk together to copy right. Happy writing to all..

That's interesting - I've never written children's stories but I have an idea for a series of children's stories that I'm planning to start writing tomorrow. I'm really excited but not going to share these online - am going to go all the way and try some printed publication first.

I dont blame you there... The reason why I havent found the right artist yet is that I need one that can draw for children.. Most children's books have great pictures and that is what attracts the child's attention, not the story itself... Unlike writing for young adults or adults where pictures are not exactly neccesary.

Oh I have thought of that and actually have a ton of photos I've taken with these stories in mind - example of what I want. Hard part will be I have pictured already exactly what I want but have some art back ground myself and have a niece who is a wonderful artist. Between the two of us I know I'll be able to get what I want for the stories.

Thats AWESOME!! I hope your children's book works out, best of luck to you on that

thank you dear I started a story yesterday and am hoping to finish the first draft today.

Keep up the good work, hopefully one day I will see it on the local book shelves of the local book stores... Good luck

Oh thank you dear I certainly will be letting all of myLot know when it happens:)

I have thought of that more and more - I write for both helium and AC each having their 'special needs'. As I prepare to write for 'print' I will be sharing less and less on those sites merely because of the time available for writing.

That is good that you copyright your articles - I don't think there is anything worse than stealing someones writing, I mean for me at least my writing is my heart and soul and for someone else to take it as their own is like taking my life from me.