This question is directed at our readers who have earned PhDs or are familiar with the process. Is it a good idea to pay the extra $45 to copyright my dissertation? I am having trouble figuring out what benefits a copyright confers, but I am definitely open to the idea.
Please discuss.
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3 comments:
Well, I didn't pay to copyright mine, but it was $70 for us. Basically, you hold the copyright to your work as long as you include a copyright page at the beginning. You still have all rights to the work, except those you sign over when you agree to have your diss microfilmed/pdf'ed. All you're paying for is the service of having them register your copyright with the Library of Congress, but I'm not sure why/if this is necessary.
Hi Mike:
Here's the FAQ short answer from LOC:
"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.” "
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#register
And here's what Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration" says:
"Copyright Registration
In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of the basic facts of a particular copyright. However, registration is not a condition of copyright protection. Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright law provides several inducements or advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration. Among these advantages are the following:
Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.
Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U.S. origin.
If made before or within 5 years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.
If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney's fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.
Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies. For additional information, go to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import. Click on “Intellectual Property Rights.”
Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright. Unlike the law before 1978, when a work has been registered in unpublished form, it is not necessary to make another registration when the work becomes published, although the copyright owner may register the published edition, if desired."
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#cr
Hope this helps!!!
:)
Meredith
Mike Henry,
You donna need to pay for copyrighting! Just make sure the copyright mark is printed properly on your dissertation. . . . !
http://mcsweeneys.net/2007/7/9weaver.html
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