I am worried about submitting my work to an online venue--
how can I be sure it won't be stolen and just posted somewhere else?
If someone does steal it, do I have any protection if it's on the
Internet??
J. Rudell
Boston, MA
Dear J. Rudell:
One of the common misconceptions about copyright law is that it
is fundamentally different when dealing with Intenet issues.
The protections of U.S. copyright law extend to all work, whether
it is printed or published on the Internet. Only the medium is
different. You own the copyright to your article and have the
right to pursue violators under U.S. law (including informing the
offender's Internet Service Provider of the violation),
whether the violation
occurs in print or on the Internet. You own the copyright to your
work, unless you have sold it. Writers Write, Inc., for example,
takes a very aggressive stance against copyright violators;
we have absolutely no tolerance for people who steal another writer's
work.
These two articles can help you with the subject of copyright.
Click here to read "Basic Copyright Concepts for Writers"
and click here
to read "A Novice Writer's Guide to Rights".
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