Careers: Writing/copyrights

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Expert: - 7/4/2011


Question
How can I find out if a title for a book or story has been copyrighted or registered or trademarked or whatever? Can you do that? Like if author A writes a book called "Cats and Dogs" can author B also write a book with that same title? how does that work?

Answer
Hi, Desirai!

Titles can't be copyrighted. There are several things that can't receive copyright or trademark protection and that's one of them. For example, "Harry Potter and the..." could appear on other books. What's trademarked are the styling of the letters, with the lightning bolt, and sometimes even the design of the covers. For the full list of what can and can't be copyrighted, here's a link to the U.S. Copyright Office's website:

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

Here's the link to your specific question:

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html#title

Hope that helps! Good luck.

Cathy

Careers: Writing

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Volunteer

Cathy Clamp

Expertise

I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing articles, short stories and novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery. I can also answer questions about writing for major print magazines in the outdoor genre (hunting/fishing/boating/travel.)

Experience

I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Tor/Forge Books . Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen mass market novels since 2004, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published more than two dozen feature articles in leading outdoor magazines.

Organizations
Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America, National Association of Legal Assistants.

Publications
Magazines--Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Deer & Deer Hunting. Many others. Novels/Anthologies--Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing, BenBella Books, Running Press, Wild Child Publishing. Many others.

Education/Credentials
Published Author. Published Freelance Writer. Certified Paralegal with specialities in intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent) and real estate.

Awards and Honors
USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, 2009, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.

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