Watt pad

I was going to post some on wattpad but there's a question I have in regards to copyright.

I plan on self publishing what I'm going to publish on the platform. I know that its already considered published if it's on a platform or online. My question really was if having the work online would impede the self publishing. Also, how would I go about putting a copyright on what I post? "This work belongs soley to etc. And cannot be republished without etc. Etc." ??

 

The simple method I have heard of to copy right something, is print it out, and mail it to yourself. Leave it sealed after delivery. The post mark establishes the date for you. Double check this, as it is rumor level.

 

I've heard this too, and from what I hear - more rumor - it's not good protection. I think the issue is you have copyright on creating something, but you don't have enforceable copyright until you register with the copyright office.

I defer to those with more experience than I.

 

So it really depends on how you're self-publishing. You own the story so you can basically do whatever with it but by posting it online beforehand you basically give up your exclusive publishing rights, which isn't that big a deal unless you want to get into services that only permit exclusive rights to books--which the only one I can think off the top of my head is Kindle Unlimited. Here's a quote I grabbed from an article about Kindle Unlimited, having not used the service myself:

Don't know about the copyright stuff--and this may not be true for Wattpad and might just be a rare case scenario that I'm misremembering--I feel like most people online don't care for the etiquette of copyright and will just do whatever with your work, although I guess it's best if you have the warning.

Although I gotta say, why Wattpad? I can think of many places I would post my work online but I'd say Wattpad is usually dead last in my list.

 

Copyright in USA - https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

Copyright in Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/ip/copyright.html

Copyright in UK - https://www.gov.uk/copyright#:~:text=You%20get%20copyright%20protection%20automatically,work%2C%20including%20illustration%20and%20photography

 

From the US govt. Copyright webpage: https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?

The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.

 

Agreed, the method I posted, and placed a disclaimer on. Is referred to a poor man's copyright, because the post marked copy establishes a date for the courts. This only settles the question of who came up with this first. As stated in the FAQ, it does not entitle you to damages or legal fees.

Fun fact on this topic. John Forgerty is the only person in history who has been sued for copyright infringement of his own work. For wikipedia:
Saul Zaentz, owner of Fantasy Records claimed that "The Old Man Down the Road" shared the same chorus as "Run Through the Jungle", a song from Fogerty's days with Creedence Clearwater Revival years before. (Fogerty had relinquished copyrights and publishing rights of his Creedence songs to Zaentz and Fantasy, in exchange for release from his contractual obligations to them.) Zaentz sued (Fantasy, Inc. v. Fogerty) but the defendant Fogerty ultimately prevailed when he showed that the two songs were whole, separate and distinct compositions. Bringing his guitar to the witness stand, he played excerpts from both songs, demonstrating that many songwriters (himself included) have distinctive styles that can make different compositions sound similar to less discerning ears.[12]

After prevailing as defendant, Fogerty asked the court to require Zaentz to pay for the attorney fees he had spent to defend himself against the copyright infringement claim. In such (copyright) cases, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit required prevailing defendants seeking recompense to show that the original suit was frivolous or made in bad faith. This case, Fogerty v. Fantasy, Inc., became precedent when the U.S. Supreme Court (1993) overturned lower court rulings and decided that Fogerty could be awarded attorneys' fees without having to show that Zaentz's original suit was frivolous. The lower courts then decided that Fogerty should be awarded his attorney fees, totaling $1,347,519.15.[13]

 

I still email all my stories to myself

 

Agreed, it is better to have evidence you don't need, than vice versa.

 

Interestingly, I made a thread regarding copyright on such platforms, which you can view here.

I was also once interested in posting my first novel on wattpad, but then I decided against it since I didn't feel that I could find an audience in that platform. There is also the issue of the algorithm and how you might manipulate it to circulate your story on the platform, so if you aren't sure about the points I just made (audience and algorithm) then I suggest that you shouldn't do it at all, especially if you're worried about copyright.

I think the problem with something already being published is an issue with traditional publishing though, rather than self-publishing.

Not sure about the self-mail thing, but like Louanne said above, the US government doesn't seem to think too highly of the practice. It might help though, and there's nothing to lose, so I'd say its worth doing. The website just says that it isn't the best to do.

 

This would be almost worthless in court, I think. Too easy to fake. Also, should note that it doesn’t “copyright” anything. The copyright comes into existence the moment you create the work in tangible form. The mailing is more like a proof of possession (but, as I said, not very good proof).