On Feb. 4, 1997, Allen Christian <allen_christian[_at_]tamu-commerce.edu> wrote:
>
> I have a cartoon character that I would like to have put on my homepage,
> but I want the character copyright protected first. How would I go about
> doing this and does it cost much? Please reply --
Copyright protection exists in original works of authorship as soon as they are "fixed" in some tangible form (for example, on paper or on a diskette). You don't have to register a work in order for it to be protected by copyright law, but you do need to register a work before you can sue someone for infringement, and certain legal remedies are not available unless you register a work promptly after first publication.
A "character" can't be registered as such, but you can register a drawing or painting of a cartoon character as a work of visual art. You could also register any comic strips or panels featuring the character, or a movie or other audiovisual work featuring the character. You will have to certify that the work is original (that is, created by you).
To register a work, you must fill out an appilcation and send it with a copy of the work and a $20 fee to the Register of Copyrights. You may obtain the proper forms from the Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20557, or by phoning (202) 707-9100. Use Form VA for works of visual art, or Form PA for works of the performing arts (including audiovisual works).
Tyler Ochoa
<tochoa[_at_]law.whittier.edu>
Received on Wed Feb 05 1997 - 19:25:07 GMT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0 : Mon Mar 26 2007 - 00:35:23 GMT