TCMOS – Copyrights – Chapter 4

Sunday, November 10th, 2019
Blog #1 of my learning from #TheChicagoManualOfStyle.

Definition of Copyrights

Copyright is a collection of an author’s rights on their expression (to sell, rent, give away…). 

The Chicago Manual of Style (TCMOS) describes expression as “words, sounds, or images that an author uses to express an idea.” You can copyright your expression, not the ideas. 

That point was interesting because as an author I may write about topics scribbled uncountable times before. It’s an intelligent acknowledgment of creativity.

Do I have to get copyright for my books?

Law does not require registering with the United States Copyright Office because the storage, emailing or sharing of material is proof of ownership legally. But it’s recommended to file because if your rights are violated, establishing ownership will be easier with the registration.

Copyrights for titles

Titles aren’t typically copyrighted, which means I am free to choose one I wish for my books. God, I hope so, as I’m virtually married to names I have picked for my unpublished works. However, I cannot call my books Gone with the Wind or Winnie-the-Pooh because these titles are trademarked, and you cannot use them without permission. And why would you? 

Copyrights and Licenses

The author has all the rights at first until they license a subset in an “exclusive” or “non-exclusive” contract with a publisher. The first page after the title of a book contains the copyright information with a “c” inside a circle or the copyright word, the name of the author or publisher (if rights sold to them), etc. TCMOS presents examples and deep insights into contracts with traditional publishers.

Examples of rights:

1. To sell
   1. In a certain language (original-language rights)
   2. To translate (translation rights)
   3. To sell in a certain region (e.g., United Kingdom, British Commonwealth, Europe, the Middle East, or “rest of world”)
   4. Digitally
2. To copy/share
3. To give away
4. To sell on a different platform
   1. Audio books (Audio rights)
   2. Make a play or movie (performance rights/dramatic rights)
5. Other examples: Paperback rights, Book-club rights, reprint rights, Braille…

Duration of Copyright

The copyright lasts the age of the author plus 70 years. 

Seeking Permission to Use Copyright-Protected Content

TCMOS mentions the “fair use” in quoting copyright-protected material, distinguishing between quoting a large percentage of work versus small; say, “Five hundred words of an essay of five thousand is riskier than quoting that amount from a work of fifty thousand.” 

To use illustrations, pictures, or content of copyright material, one must get permission and purchase necessary licenses.

Self-publishing Agreements

A publishing contract vouches for the integrity of your work that it infringes on no existing copyrights, etc. and detail when to end the rights to sell (sales are very low). If you are self-publishing on Amazon, Apple, or another platform, you will sign their contracts too (mostly nonexclusive).

My Takeaways

Something so simple as writing has an undercurrent of complicated fine print. While it’s common sense to not steal, give credit while quoting another, and seek permission, wrong happens in the world, and it’s worth pausing and studying the laws that protect our rights as authors and creators. It’s impossible to talk about all (105) sections of chapter four. My blog doesn’t replace the book but brings me a step closer to my goal of learning.

Signing off from my first blog now on this chilly November Sunday of Chicago.

Source: The Chicago Manual of Style, SEVENTEEN EDITION.

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