THE COPYRIGHT HANDBOOK: HOW TO PROTECT AND USE WRITTEN WORKS (3RD ED.)

Writers, publishers, journalists, editors, librarians--anyone who works with words and who needs to understand copyright law--can benefit from the step-by-step instructions and necessary forms provided in The Copyright Handbook. The book includes detailed information on such topics as transfer of copyri ght ownership, works for hire, fair use and infringement. Illustrations.

Copyright law is a complex field, and it's crucial for writers to understand what's entailed. Stephen Fishman covers what a copyright is, how it's created and protected, limitations and transfer of ownership, how long it lasts, and what copyright infringement is all about. There are chapters on copyright registration, copyright notice, and how to deal with errors or omissions. Fishman also wades into the issues of derivative works and compilations, works for hire, and jointly authored works. He also tackles the confusion of copyrights in the online world of electronic publishing; the book is worth its price for this chapter alone. The appendix contains a variety of sample forms and blank forms and a PC-formatted disk of the same material.