Copyright 2

	management
	Copyright

You should ensure that your original work is kept in a safe place and that its creator has been clearly identified. It is also important to keep a record of when the work was actually created. The best way to do this is to get either a third party to sign the work stating the date on which it was created and that it was presented as an original work, or to send the work "registered post" to yourself and then leave the envelope unopened on its return. Make sure you make a copy of the work before you put it in the envelope. You should then keep the envelope in a safe place until it may be needed. Some banks or solicitors may accept deposits of your work for a small fee. Finally, you should also ensure that you keep a chronological record of any developments or changes to your work.

What do I do if someone infringes my copyright protection?

Provided you have taken the steps above, your title to the copyright should be easier to prove. Copyright will only be infringed by the actual copying of your original work. If the alleged copier can prove that he has produced the same work independently, without copying, then this will not be viewed as breach of copyright.

Quite often, it will be easier to resolve the matter with the infringing party and it may be that some sort of licensing agreement could be reached through which you would receive royalties. If this is not an option then you will need to take action through the courts where injunctions and damages are available.