How to Copyright
Copyright How-to Guide
The United States Copyright Office defines copyright as "a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works" (Retrieved from Copyright.gov). The Copyright Act of 1976 is the law governing United States copyright. The law has been amended since 1976, refining the scope of the act. USM libraries provides an overview of the law’s basics and protections:
By publishing in Aquila and/or ProQuest, your document is copyrighted as your intellectual property. You can see this copyright on your Aquila submission form.
However, students might choose to file for additional copyright protections on their work. The Graduate School does not file for this copyright on behalf of students or cover fees. Copyright can be filed directly with the U.S. Copyright office at copyright.gov, or ProQuest offers services to file on behalf of students.
Students choosing to publish and register their copyright in ProQuest will need to create an account on ProQuest in order to do so. Go to USM’s ProQuest webpage or read the “Submitting to ProQuest” instructional document for more information on how to submit to ProQuest.
There is a tab labeled “Register U.S. Copyright” in the “submission and payment” section near the end of ProQuest submission process. Under “Register U.S. Copyright," you will be provided information regarding copyright protection and registering your copyright.
Additional information, including about your existing copyright and why registering your copyright might or might not benefit you, can be found on the FAQs page, as well as on the “Resources and Guidelines” page. That information includes the following:
What are my copyright options on ProQuest?