Expert: George H. Morgan, P.E., Patent Agent - 9/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am in the process of completing a few business plans and would like to protect my ideas and work. Should I have them copyrighted or patented?

ANSWER: 1. Copyrights are cheap. Go for that first.
2. If you have the money, go for patents also.

Best wishes on your project.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is the Library of Congress the only place to have my work copyrighted?

Answer
Uncle Sam has the only copyright office. There is a government web site for it.
You can download the forms, and fill them out, follow instructions, and submit a copy of what is to be copyrighted. I believe the fee is some $30.

Or, you can hire most any attorney for a $100 or so to do it for you.

While books are submitted to the Library of Congress for consideration of keeping in that library, not all are kept there.

Patent Agents don't do copyrights. So, I am sharing my experience on copyrights with you. There is also a cheap booklet the U.S. Government Printing Office in Colorado puts out with all the info.

I am sharing my experience, trying to help you. Kindly do not downgrade me on "knowledge of subjedct" or "expertise" on this, as it is outside my area of qualification as a patent agent, as we only deal in patents.

Best wishes on your project!

Also, Nolo Press, of Berkely, California publishes self help legal books and they did have one on copyrights. Their publication "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman is priceless, and is in most libraries. It sells for around $40.

George H. Morgan
Professional Engineer (since 1958)
Patent Agent (since 1973)
Website: http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent