Copyright advice for shelf publisers

Recorded on November 25, 2011 using a Flip Video camcorder.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• copyright
• copyrights
• self publishing
• Advice (opinion)
• Book
• Books
• Book Review

[JudyBeckerKnits]

Barcodes are not required on books. They are required if you want to place your book with wholesalers, distributors, bookstores, or libraries. The barcode contains information about the ISBN. It's there for scanners to read. The ISBN codes information about the title and the publisher. They are not the same thing. Amazon does not require an ISBN. Apples does. If you have an ISBN for a print book, you need a new one for the ebook version of the same book.

[rocko2080]

@JudyBeckerKnits The video is on copyrights. ISBNs have nothing to do with a copyrights or copyrighting. I can give a ISBN to my dog and sell him on amazon, but thats doesnt mean he is copyrighted :).  They are not related in any ways. I hope that helps.

[JudyBeckerKnits]

@rocko2080 I am both a publisher and an author and well aware that ISBNs have nothing to do with copyright. This comment was in response to your statement at 1:58 that "ebooks cannot be copyrighted" -- erroneous, and dealt with in a different comment -- and "but it can be given a barcode." One would not acquire a barcode for an ebook, because barcodes are relevant only to printed books. One may, however, acquire an ISBN. The terms "barcode" and "ISBN" are not synonymous.

[rocko2080]

@JudyBeckerKnits I hear you. I didn't mean to come off as snarky. Inflection is hard to put into text at times. I agree with your note that an ISBNs can in fact be attached to an ebook. It is not of much legal use, but it can be done.

[rsims87]

Thanks for making your videos about lulu. I am strongly considering using their services. I don't fully understand the copy write issue though. I lulu lets me retain the copy-write why do I need them to release it before publishing with anyone else? Also, will they release it when requested or is it something they fight against? Thanks again for your advice!

[rocko2080]

@rsims87 Well, only on company can own a copyright on somethig at a time. So if Lulu owns it, then you can publish it somewhere else (with the exception of ebooks, b/c they don't under current law need nor are they allowed to be copyrihted. Despite what some claim) They would more than likely release it unless it was wldly popular, but that would be a great problem to have. I hope hat helps. Good luck. Keep in touch here and my wesite and send me a link when you get your book up & going.

[JudyBeckerKnits]

@rocko2080 No prob. I don't think an ISBN is ever of legal use. It registers the book in "Books In Print." And the barcode is there for booksellers who use scanners. I believe that some ebook sellers, like Apple, require an ISBN as a way of ensuring that the book is coming from a "legitimate" publisher (whatever that means). I do wish you would address publication/copyright. Publication has not been required since 1989. The *author* has copyright as soon as the book is in any format.

[JudyBeckerKnits]

Before 1978, publication was required in order to secure copyright. Since that time, publication is no longer necessary. Since 1989, copyright notice has not been required in a publication in order to secure copyright, although it's always a good idea. As soon as you fix a work in any form you hold the copyright, and you hold it until you release it to someone else. An exclusive transfer of rights must be in writing and signed.

[JudyBeckerKnits]

Publication rights are different, and are determined by the contract you make with the publisher of your work. The contract may give the publisher exclusive rights to publish, but they do not give the publisher copyright. Simply printing a book does not assign copyright. Createspace cannot hold copyright to a work that was in a fixed format (ie PDF, .doc, etc.) before they printed it. If that were true every printer would hold copyright.

[JudyBeckerKnits]

I believe you are confusing copyright with publication rights and contracts. These are two totally different things. As a writer/creator, I hold copyright as soon as my work is fixed in any format, whether that is on paper or electronically. In the US, I can register my copyright with the Copyright Office, but that's not necessary to hold the copyright to the work. You can find out more about copyright online at copyright dot gov /help/faq/

[rsims87]

@rocko2080 Thanks for your response! :) My book is only in early planning stages, so it may be a while. At the moment I am a little short on time and money to put into it, but hopefully that will change soon. I will definitely let you know if I get it finished sometime during my lifetime! ;)