web-publishing & copyright...

     This may be one of those newbie-type posts which everybody hates so much, but it's not so much a question as it is a verification:

     I'm considering posting some of my short stories I've written on my web page, and I want to know if they're automatically protected; that is, do I have to go through some large, complex, expensive process to get them copyrighted? Or can I just put them up without fear of them being stolen and appearing in some B-movie five years from now?

     I've done some digging on the web, and from what I've seen, it *looks* like I don't need to bother with any long, complicated copyright process; can anyone tell me if I'm right?

     Any answers/advice would be welcome.

thanx,
Ryan

-- 
				Ryan Day
	   	       J-Skool II, Carleton University  
          http://www.carleton.ca/~rmday/ -- Now with REAL CONTENT!
	"We both wanted to be Kafka... I think you got a bit closer."
		"Yeah... I got to be the insect."
			- Deconstructing Harry