Self-Publishing Copyright: A Guide for Authors

You’ve poured your heart into your book—now comes the part most indie authors dread: protecting it.

The fear of someone stealing your work is real. It can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling the writing, editing, and publishing process. But with the right understanding of copyright laws, you can move forward with confidence instead of fear.

Your book is your intellectual property. And just like you wouldn’t leave your front door wide open, you shouldn’t publish without knowing how to lock down your rights. That’s what this guide is for.

We’ll walk through what self-publishing copyright actually means, when and how to register, what gets protected (yes, even your book cover!), and what to do if someone crosses the line.

Note: this article isn’t legal advice—but it will give you a solid foundation in “fair use” and the real-world rights you hold as a self-published author.

Do You Have to Register Your Copyright?

Before publishing your book, if you want a self-publishing copyright, it's a good idea to register your book if you feel you need the protection. 

Having said that, registration isn't required to have self-publishing copyright protection but it does provide evidence of copyright ownership.

Doing so enables you to take legal action against copyright infringement and it also adds an extra layer of deterrence against potential plagiarists.

Does Copyright Apply to Artistic Works?

Artistic sculpture on wood, created with Midjourney

If you're wondering about artistic works, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs when getting your self-publishing copyright, they are treated very similarly to books and other writings under copyright law.

Copyright for Artistic Works goes into detail about art.

Are Book Covers Protected by Copyright?

Yes—book covers are protected by copyright, just like the written content inside. In fact, the artistic design of a book cover is considered a separate creative work and is eligible for copyright protection on its own.

Typically, the author or publisher (whoever holds the copyright to the overall book) also owns the rights to the cover design. That means all the elements—illustrations, photos, graphic design, fonts, and layout—are protected from unauthorized copying or alteration.

Even if someone only changes the title or swaps a bit of text, they can still be infringing if the overall cover design is noticeably similar. Fair use may allow for short quotes on a cover, but using longer passages or duplicating the design for commercial purposes would require explicit permission from the copyright holder.

How to Write a Copyright Notice

A copyright notice is the "Copyright © Author name" followed by the "all rights reserved" part.

Your copyright page should include the copyright symbol ©, the year of your book's publication, the author's name, and a rights statement. This applies to both print books and eBooks. 

See my example, below of a basic format of a copyright notice with the 'rights statement':

What Is an LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number)?

This Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is used as a unique identifier to catalog and organize published works in their collection.

This LCCN is also added to your copyright page, beneath the copyright symbol and date. This is also where I add my ISBN number when self-publishing on Amazon KDP.

The ISBN can be placed above or below the copyright date and rights statement. It doesn't matter (as Amazon has never indicated to me that I've put it in the wrong place, after 60 published books - and counting!)

What Does Copyright Registration Cost?

The cost for copyright registration in the United States depends on the method you use:

• Online registration - $55 for a basic claim. This is the most common method.
• Paper application - $85 for a basic claim. This involves mailing in a paper application form.
• Single application for a group of works - You can register multiple works with one application for one fee. The basic fee is $55 but there is an additional fee of $25 per group of up to 10 works.

There are also some additional costs:

• If you want expedited processing, there is an extra fee of $800 per application. This gets registration done within 5 business days.
• If the work requires adding extra pages or forms, there are small surcharges per extra page/form.
• Using a paper application always costs $10 more than online.

For a basic one-work copyright registration, it costs $55 online or $85 by paper application.

Group registrations cost more but can be more cost-effective.

U.S. Copyright Office: Contact Info for eCO

Here are the deets for the U.S. Copyright Office's Electronic Copyright Office (eCO):

• Website URL: https://www.copyright.gov/registration/
• The eCO allows you to register basic claims for copyright online.
• To submit online applications, you create an account on the eCO website.

The eCO is a service provided by the U.S. Copyright Office which is located at: U.S. Copyright Office 101 Independence Ave. S.E. Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

So if you wanted to submit a copyright registration by mail rather than online, you would send the paper application to the Copyright Office at the Washington D.C. address above.

In essence: Online registration is done through the eCO website, while paper applications are mailed to the Copyright Office's physical address in Washington D.C.

What to Do If Someone Infringes Your Copyright

Created with Midjourney

But what about those who might infringe on your self-publishing copyright?

Here's where vigilance comes into play. 

Once your book has been published, use a copyright checker to see if your work has been used elsewhere without your permission. 

These tools I list below scan the internet for content identical to yours and can helps detect unauthorized use of your work.

Best Copyright Checker Tools

• Copyleaks - Offers a free plagiarism checker and paid subscription plans for more in-depth copyright scans. Integrates with major self-publishing platforms.
• DupliChecker - Free plagiarism detection with premium paid plans. Allows uploading documents to scan against online sources.
• PlagScan - Paid subscription service with different pricing tiers based on usage. Checks against a wide range of web sources.
• Turnitin - Known primarily as a plagiarism checker for academics, but offers services for publishers too.
• iThenticate - Comprehensive copyright checker used by many academic institutions and publishers.
• Copyscape - One of the original plagiarism checkers, with both free and paid premium options.
• Grammarly - Well-known free grammar checker that also includes plagiarism detection in its premium version.
• ProWritingAid - Paid subscription tool that includes plagiarism checking along with other writing analysis features.

If Someone Steals Your Work… What Now?

Ugh, it’s the nightmare no self-published author wants: discovering someone has copied your work without permission.

If it happens—and sadly, it does—you don’t have to panic, but you do need to take action. Here’s what to do, step by step:

First, send a cease and desist letter. This is just a fancy term for a formal note telling them to knock it off. Be specific—mention the content they’ve copied and clearly state they’re not allowed to use it.

Next, if the stolen content is online (like on a blog or social media), you can file a DMCA takedown notice. Most websites and platforms have an easy way to do this, and once submitted, they’re usually required to remove the infringing content.

If you feel out of your depth or it’s a bigger issue, it’s worth reaching out to an intellectual property attorney. They can help you draft the right wording or even take the next steps legally if needed.

Make sure to gather evidence—take screenshots, save URLs, and document everything.

When you send your letter, use certified mail so you can prove they received it. Stay polite, but firm. No need to go full “fire and brimstone” mode—but do give them a clear deadline (say 15–30 days) to fix the issue.

And if they ignore you? You’ve got options, including legal action. Hopefully, it won’t come to that—but knowing your rights means you’re in control, not the infringer.

What Is the Berne Convention?

The Berne Convention is an international agreement that sets standard rules for copyright protection between signatory countries. BTW, Berne is also spelled Bern.

Here are some key facts about the Berne Convention:

• It was first adopted in 1886 in Berne, Switzerland, and has undergone several revisions over the years. It is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• The Berne Convention requires its signatories to recognize copyright protections for works created by authors from other signatory countries in the same way it protects the copyright of its own nationals. This is known as national treatment.
• Copyright under Berne lasts for at least the life of the author plus 50 years*, although member countries may provide longer terms if they wish. 
• Under Berne, copyright arises automatically upon creation of a work - registration or notice is not required. Copyright applies to every production in the literary, scientific, and artistic domain, including books, music, paintings, sculptures, films, computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings.
• The Convention prohibits formalities that would allow a country to remove copyright protections from a work if registration procedures or other formalities were not met.
• Berne provides moral rights protections for authors separate from economic rights. This includes the right to claim authorship and object to modifications or distortions of the work that could harm the creator's reputation.
• There are currently 178 parties to the Berne Convention, making it the most widely adopted copyright treaty. Notable members include the U.S., Japan, Russia, the EU, and most other major countries. It provides a key framework for international copyright law.

(*See next section).

How Long Does Copyright Last? (U.S. + International)

The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is an international set of laws that protects copyrighted works from infringement across the member countries. The convention was created in Berne, Switzerland in 1886 with 10 European member countries.

The Berne Convention originally set the minimum copyright term as the life of the author + 50 years. However, that has been extended in recent years. 

• In the 1993 Brussels Act of the Berne Convention, the required minimum term was increased to life + 70 years. This 70-year post-mortem term has become the standard in most countries.
• In the United States, works created on or after January 1, 1978, have a copyright term lasting the life of the author + 70 years.
• In the European Union, the term is life + 70 years for most works. This standard was put in place with the 1993 Directive on Harmonizing Term of Protection.
• Other major economies like Canada, Australia, and Japan also provide copyright protection for life + 70 years.
• The rationale for extending the term by 20 years beyond the original Berne Convention standard was to account for longer life expectancy and to provide financial protection for two generations of an author's heirs.
• However, there is debate as to whether the extended term genuinely benefits creators vs. overly restricting public access and use of older works. But for now, life + 70 years remains the international standard.

What Is the Public Domain?

A public domain work is any creative material that's no longer protected by copyright—and that means anyone can use it, remix it, or sell it without needing permission. Most works enter the public domain when their copyright term expires. In the U.S., for example, anything published before 1929 (as of 2025) is considered public domain. That cutoff year moves forward annually.

Sometimes, a copyright holder might choose to release their work into the public domain by officially waiving their rights, though that’s not super common. Interestingly, works created by the U.S. federal government are automatically in the public domain—so things like NASA photos or government reports are free for public use from the start. Other countries have similar rules for their government-created works.

It’s important to note that just because something is public domain now doesn’t mean it can’t be copyrighted later. If someone takes an old public domain piece—like a fairy tale—and transforms it into something new and original (think Disney’s Snow White), that new version can be copyrighted.

Famous examples of public domain works include Shakespeare’s plays, Beethoven’s symphonies, Greek mythology, and U.S. government publications. You’re free to copy, adapt, sell, or publish these kinds of works however you’d like—because the original copyright protections no longer apply.

That said, public domain rules can vary by country, depending on when a work was created and how long copyright laws apply. And while the original work may be fair game, a new adaptation of it might not be—so always double-check before reusing.

What Counts as a Derivative Work?

A derivative work refers to a new creative work that is based on or derived from an existing work that is still under copyright protection. Here are some key things to know about derivative works:

• They are separate works that adapt, transform, or recast the original copyrighted work. The new work must include original and creative elements, and not just copy the original.
• Common types of derivative works include translations, film adaptations of novels, remixes and sampled music, art reproductions, sequels, prequels, fan fiction, and more.
• The copyright protections extend both to the original work and the subsequent new derivative work - both cannot be reproduced or adapted without permission.
• To legally create a derivative work, the creator typically must obtain a license or assignment of rights from the copyright holder of the original work, otherwise, it constitutes copyright infringement.
• Examples of derivative works would be the novel Scarlett based on Gone with the Wind, Andy Warhol's silkscreen prints of Campbell soup cans, or a techno remix of a pop song.
• There are exceptions allowing certain derivatives under the Fair Use doctrine, such as parody works that comment on the original.
• Rights to prepare derivative works are one of the exclusive rights granted to copyright holders under US copyright law.

So in essence, a derivative work is a new creative work that builds upon and incorporates elements of a preexisting work still under copyright. The right to prepare derivatives is an important part of copyright protection.

Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional

If you're still on the fence about "self-publishing" or using a "traditional publisher," the answer isn't as straightforward as you might hope since it depends on your personal goals and circumstances. 

If you're looking for a wider audience then choose a traditional publisher, that is, if they'll accept your project! 

If you want to keep a handle on costs, try the self-publishing route. Although self-publishing gives you full creative control and ownership over your work, it requires you to handle all the aspects of publishing on your own, too.

Traditional publishing provides assistance with editing, distribution, and marketing, sure, but it requires giving up some rights and profits. 

Whether you choose the traditional route versus the self-publishing route, your understanding of and applying the copyright notice to your work is the best way of protecting your intellectual property rights.

What Is “Poor Man’s Copyright”… and Does It Actually Work?

You’ve probably heard the old-school advice: mail a copy of your manuscript to yourself in a sealed envelope and stash it away—just in case someone tries to steal your work. That’s what’s known as “Poor Man’s Copyright.”

The idea was that the postmark date would prove you were the original creator if you ever had to defend your work. But here’s the truth: that method no longer holds up in court, and it really never offered true legal protection in the first place.

Back in the day, when registering a copyright felt complicated or expensive, this DIY tactic sounded clever. You’d send your manuscript to yourself, keep it sealed, and hope it served as evidence if needed. But courts eventually ruled that just having a sealed envelope doesn’t prove what’s inside it—or when it was created.

In today’s digital world, there are much better (and legit) ways to prove ownership, like registering your book officially with the U.S. Copyright Office. It’s not just affordable—it gives you actual legal standing if someone crosses the line.

So while Poor Man’s Copyright might sound kind of nostalgic (or resourceful), it’s really more myth than method these days. The 1976 Copyright Act made registration optional because protection kicks in automatically the moment your work is created. But if you want to actually enforce your rights? Yep—you still need to register.

Moral of the story: skip the envelope and do it right. Register your book. It’s quick, inexpensive, and one of the best “insurance policies” you can give your creative work.

Why Copyright Registration Is Like Insurance for Authors

For self-published authors (ALL authors really!), paying for a registered copyright ensures your work is protected against unauthorized use, safeguarding your creative efforts. Now you can confidently publish your work to the world, knowing you're "covered," just like having insurance.

If you are a newbie or an experienced author exploring new avenues, remember, understanding self-publishing copyright is not just about legal protection. It's about respecting the value of your work, asserting your rights, and taking control of your creative journey. 

Common Questions About Copyright for Self-Published Authors

So now you know the truth: copyright isn’t scary—it’s smart. Skip the sealed envelope trick, learn the basics, and you’ll be far better off. Your words are worth protecting… and that registration fee? Cheaper than a dinner out these days...