Many people, it appears, have a fear of their intellectual property being stolen, and rightly so. It’s your idea that you have developed and it should be protected. Here’s how to ensure your works remain yours, and what you should do if it is breached.

What is Copyright?

First off, let’s define copyright. A copyright protects original forms of intellectual property such as: literary, musical and artistic works that includes: novels, short stories, autobiographies, biographies, translations, poems, lyrics etc. Other creative ventures such as computer software and videos are also covered under the 1976 Copyright Act.

In essence, an author of an original piece of work has exclusive rights from the time the work is created, irrespective of whether the work is registered.

However, if you are involved in a collaborative endeavor while working for an employer for instance, or any form of collective undertaking, this is generally considered ‘works for hire’. As such, the rights of, ‘works for hire’ is that of your employer.

The 1976 Copyright Act states that:

Copyright Act established the boundaries of a copyright and the ownership of a work of literature, music, drama, pantomime, choreography, visual art, sound recording, and audiovisual work. The Act determined the forms of copyrightable material as well as the duration of exclusive rights and protection. In 1978, this act was amended to include works of architecture and architectural design.

How to Claim Ownership

To safeguard your creative works, simply place the © symbol which means ‘Copyright’, the publication year and your name. Hence, this newsletter will be copyrighted as: © 2010 Cherry-Ann Carew.

Under US law, copyrights last for the duration of the author/creator’s life, plus 70 years.

What to do if Your Work is Used Without Your Permission

Should the above occur, you may do one of two things, contact the person to advise them of the infringement and tell them to immediately stop, or contact an attorney who will takeappropriate action.

© 2010 Cherry-Ann Carew

WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, NEWSLETTER, MAGAZINE, BLOG OR WEBSITE? Please do, but ensure you include this complete resource box:

Cherry-Ann Carew, The Power Writing Coach, Editor, and Founder of Writetastic Solutions, is a contributing author to How the Fierce Handle Fear – ‘Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times.’ Cherry-Annhelps writers with their creative expression to add value to their books. Learn how her coaching and editing services can help you with your book. Subscribe for your FREE SPECIAL REPORT: ‘Discover The 3 Simple Steps That Will Help You Start And Finish Your Book

Today I have added five new pages to my Bloggers Muse, website.
I am featuring my flower art in affordable print/art/craft form, through my web pages off my bloggers muse, blog site.  You will be able to select here from my Print Flowers, Cart Flowers, and Fridge Magnet Flowers.

I still have more cards and fridge magnets to ad to this selection, and this will happen through the coming week.

Our tour of Australia continues, the caravan is rolling as from tomorrow. :-), hope to meet you during our travels.

The Giveaway:

In conjunction with Mummified Times Five, I am giving away up to $1000 worth of Maimeri Classico oil paints!

Each prize pack includes 10 tubes of Maimeri Classico paints valued at $9.55 each…so with free postage, that’s a prize pack valued at over $100!! And we have 10 packs to give away!!

To enter, all you need to do is:

-comment on any post ON EACH of Kathy Shell’s blogs (listed in my blog side bar and below):

http://www.artslim.org/
http://www.cards-art.com/
http://www.kathy-shell.net/
http://www.doggiesblog.com/
http://www.gray-nomad.com/
http://www.bloggermuse.com/
http://www.functional-art.net/
http://www.postcards-art.com/
http://www.campfire-yarns.com/
http://www.fridgemagnetart.com/
- then go to the competition post at

http://mummifiedtimesfive.net/2010/02/01/spotlight-on-kathy-shell-giveaway/

and say why you would like to win a 10 pack of Maimeri Classico paints.

(Both steps are mandatory to be in the running to win this prize)

Giveaway finishes 15 Feb 2010

 This blog post has been illustrated by postcards from the art of Kathy Shell. These can be orderd through the artist's postcards-art web site or purchased 'direct from the artist', in her caravan awning studio

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage -Anais Nin

A beautiful quote from an inspiring writer. This is the saying I used when making the fridge magnet from my latest original artwork of the Dioressence rose.

Do you remember the fragrance of the most beautiful floral scents from the house of Dior?  An intriguing scent of mandarin, geranium, forests and moss resembling Christian Dior's great perfume.

The Dioressence™ rose from  the Delbard rose collection is exquisite in fragrance and beauty. Truly inspiring the artist to grow and paint. Clusters of lilac flowers shaped like a wide champagne glass with edges etched in red and dark purple

I have made 25 small business card fridge magnets form this artwork image. They will be available to purchase through my words and works, blog/web site, early in 2010.

Special orders can be made up in quantities of  25, using your own special short massage.