How to Copyright a Book (in 10 Minutes Or Less)

How to Copyright a Book (in 10 Minutes Or Less) How To Copyright A Book: A Definitive Guide Want to know how to copyright a book you've written? That’s probably a smart idea. You don’t want this nightmarish scenario to occur a year down the road: you’re in a bookstore and you pick up a random novel. You notice that the dialogue sounds familiar. Upon further inspection, you realize that everything in this book is a dead ringer for your work - down to your character Mick, who now goes by Dick.Copyright is something authors are often curious about, though it’s so complex that few are eager to dip a toe into it. And it needn't  be an author’s first worry. However, if you're self-publishing a book, then the onus is on you to educate yourself on all aspects of the business - which includes protecting your intellectual property.Obligatory disclaimer: no-one at Reedsy is an attorney - this is by no means professional advice. But to make the topic easier for authors to unpack, we conducted research and spoke with practicing attorneys and have unmuddied the waters for you.Want to skip ahead? Check out our  explainer video or  download an infographic that spells out the process of copyright registration.What is copyright?Copyright is just that: the right to copy. When books are published, this right prevents others from replicating your work and selling it (for profit or otherwise) without your consent. jmason@copyrightcounselors.com.Sean Lynch is an intellectual property attorney who provides copyright and trademark advice to clients building businesses and brands. In addition, you can find Sean at slynchlaw.com and thesurflawyer.com.Henry Runge is an  Associate Director of UNeTecH. He protects scientists' inventions and works with entrepreneurs and creatives to develop business opportunities for intellectual property.Finally, to read about the topic straight from the source, visit the U.S. Copyright Office, the U.K. Intellectual Property Office, and the Australian Copyright Council websites.If you're in the finishing stages of completing a book? Check out our blog post that details the technical process of making a book.Any stories to share? Any more questions? Let us know below and we’ll answer all of them personally!