Copyright: "The exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (as a literary, musical, or artistic work)." Miriam Webster’s Dictionary

In short, a copyright is protection for your creative works. As the creator of a work, you own the rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, sell or rent your creation or its derivative works. With the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, you aren’t required explicitly to copyright a work to receive this protection. Unless you explicitly release your work into the "public domain," you receive automatic copyright protection.

Online Freelance Work…

However, it may still be a good idea to register the copyright for a creative work with the government in case you need to prove you are the creator in the event of theft. For a simple article, this may be more of a hassle than it’s worth, but for something more complex like an essay, a video or a song, having a register copyright can protect you and ensure your rights are protected as well.

How do copyright laws apply if you’re a freelancer?

Freelance writers and copyright laws coexist in different ways. Your client is paying you to create a work for them and in the process of "work for hire," you may transfer the rights of ownership to them as well. To ensure there are no misunderstandings, always specify in your agreement whether or not the rights are going to be transferred. In the event of non-payment, you may also want to specify that the client is specifically not allowed to use the works and you retain all rights over the works. If you intend to retain your rights over the work with a freelance client, make absolute sure this is communicated upfront as most clients expect to own the works they pay for.

Freelance Writer Needs Work…

This article constitutes suggestions based on the author’s personal experience and advice received. For professional legal advice, always seek out your own lawyer. They can save you a lot of hassle in the long run by making sure you are protected no matter how you intend to transfer copy rights between you and your client for work completed.

Author: John Le Bleu

If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.

http://www.jwtosco.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Le_Bleu

What Is a Newsletter? Can Freelance Writers Find Work

Writers can find freelance writing work creating newsletters for companies, but it is important that they understand the scope and the scale of the writing job involved…

Creative Writing, Is There Money In It?

Freelance writers often overlook the specialized field of creative writing, when looking for freelance writing work…

Types of Copyright for Freelance Writers and Book Authors

This type of copyright for freelance writers means that the magazine, newspaper or other publication can publish the work once…

Technorati Tags: freelance design work pro/e, freelance writers and copyright laws