Mood: Writing a Story About Writing A Story

Oh, you know… kind of freaking out because I just got THIS

👆 in the mail.
What is that, you ask? Oh, it’s only the patent to the 6 texts to the whole Book Series!!

Just getting a little “Meta” over here and thought I’d give an update in the form of “Writing a Story About Writing a Story.”

Our little idea for “Mom’s Not” is getting some legs. Shortly after finishing the texts in February, I applied for a copyright patent for THE TEXT ONLY. This is kind of an extra step in book production because the text is considered intellectual property and is de fact copyrighted once you put your pen on that paper…. er…. fingers on your keyboard.
I applied for the text itself, which is considered “the intellectual property.”
So basically, I have copyrighted air. And it smells delicious.

So, if it’s an extra step, why do it?

If someone tries to copy your book, you cannot sue somebody (take legal action) for copyright infringement until you have registered your book with the Copyright Office. No one wants to do that. But no one wants to be a doormat either and have someone take your hard-earned ideas and make money from them.
“Also, No award for statutory damages or attorneys fees will be made for any infringement of a copyright in an unpublished book which occurs prior to registration of the copyright. The same holds true for published books, unless the registration is made within three months after the first publication.”
I searched for a good article about copyrighting, if you’re interested and came up with this on GO PUBLISH YOURSELF

I thought it was kind of brilliant, hilarious and entertaining way to explain how this whole thing works.

When the electronic copy is finished and is ready to go to print, we will ship that off for a printed copyright. Again… Absolutely necessary? No. Is it still considered “Yours” because you made it? Yes. But it is necessary if you want to win a court case and keep your hard-earned $$.
Now, when we have the electronic copy completely ready and going to print, we’ll ship that off again to the Patent Office and copyright the entire kit-and-caboodle because it will actually be a product and not just intellectual property.

What if I don’t want to copyright my stuff? Is that OK too?

Sure is. But don’t expect to win any court cases. You’re presuming on two things:
  1. People are awesome and never try and steal stuff
  2. Your idea/product is hardly worth stealing

By spending a little extra $$ up front for our idea, I am believing it is important and valuable enough to wrap it in barbed wire in case a bear tries to steal it in the night.

That poor bear is going to have some “ouchy” paws.

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