Copyright protection is the safeguarding of your rights as an author over your creative work. It acts as a shield against individuals who may attempt to steal or unfairly exploit your content.

Infringement occurs when someone tries to use, publish, or unlawfully appropriate your work. While people can purchase a copy of your book for personal use, they are not permitted to reproduce or distribute it for commercial gain or otherwise.

Your original work comprises what you personally authored or, in some instances, what others wrote on your behalf. While seemingly straightforward, the legal concept of original work aims to establish a fair distinction between protectable creations and those that are not eligible for copyright protection.

Even with copyright protection, others retain the right to use small portions of your work under specific circumstances. This includes activities such as reviews, media commentary, and certain educational purposes.

Producing original content does not automatically grant you the right to publish it. While most writing is protected by a combination of copyright and the First Amendment, caution is necessary to avoid publishing content that may be false and negatively impact someone else.

If you authored a book, it is automatically protected by copyright the moment those words are written. Opting to register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional benefits in the event of any copyright infringement.