COPYRIGHTING YOUR WORK

I think the best way to bring your ideas to fruition is to write them down and share them with as many people as possible. I know some people are concerned about being ripped off ,but I found out a couple of years ago that all messages that contain original expressions of ideas, whether posted to computer forum, sent privately via email, or uploaded to computer archive library are automatically copyrighted, as in any other tangible medium of original expression.

I was aware of most of this from writing my column, but I didn't know it covered private communications like email. In the US, it's also no longer necessary to register a copyright/trademark to enjoy the protection of a copyright/trademark. Of course, the catch 22 is that you may have to register your items for copyright if I want to file a legal action concerning them.

In any case, your writing ideas are never going to anywhere if you don't share them with someone else. I'd love it if someone ripped my writing off and made it successful. Then, I'll know my work has appeal and I'll take legal action to protect my copyright.

Below are some crazy characters I created years ago and emailed to myself and family members to self copyright. Might as well follow my own advice and get my Character ideas out there in as many venues as possible. There are lots of talented writers on this site as well as the internet who may be interested in them.

Talk to you later. Take Care! Dan

CHARACTER: Intellectual Preaching Sasquach.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: A Split Bolt of Lightning simultaneously hits a Bible, Beating Preacher and a Sasquach in the 1800's which causes a mind meld of the two individuals. Thus, creating "Intellectual Preaching Sasquach" The Bible Beating Preacher also takes on the IPS's Sasquach animal instincts. IPS uses his new intellect and Sasquach Powers to fight the social injustices of the day and right wrongs.


CHARACTER: Dogman

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: Has Super Smell and the Power to inflict rabies at will. Was bitten by a wild pack of dogs that escaped from a Government Testing Lab. Basically, he still looks human except for his ears. Thus, he wears a hat everywhere. Works as a Telemarketer so he can easily quit one job to chase bad guys and get another job in an instant if needed. His name is Fritz Sheppard or Rex Barker(I haven't decided yet).

Tons of Dog Clichés like: Hangs his head out the window when driving, bathroom is a fire hydrant, uses newspaper as carpet, Marks his property and territory by urinating on it- also does this on things he'd really like to have and most people just give it to him after he's done his deed, thinks Lassie is a babe, always aggrandizing about the old days with Old Yeller & Rin Tin Tin, shakes hands like a dog with hand drooped, his sidekick is Mange & he sometimes works with another Sidekick named Fixed, his favorite position is doggy style, gets really pissed when people say, "It's a Dog Eat Dog World", favorite singer is Snoop Doggy Dog, Favorite Pop Group is 3 Dog Night, Thinks Snoopy is a wuss, has a life span of only 12 years, has pictures of Humans playing fetch to mock the pictures of dogs playing pool etc, he thinks Deputy Dog has a clue, carries everything in a Doggy Bag, uses flea collars to lasso his enemies and as throwing weapons, etc.

Arch Enemies: The Pack, Heart Worm, Tapeworm, Flea, and the Maniacal Mad Scientist Dr. Pavlov


CHARACTER: One Midichlorian Jedi: Created when George Lucas ruined the concept of the force with the Stupid Midichlorian genetic lottery angle for Jedi Knights. Hey Charles Manson, your Midichlorian levels are off the charts. Do you want to be a Jedi Knight? Well, now Lucas will be FORCED to deal with this FORCE concept with One Midichlorian Jedi!!!

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: He's a Jedi with just one Midichlorian. So, his Jedi Powers really suck. This obviously makes him a big screw up and embarrassment for the Jedi Order. This guys just an all around problem. You don't need Jar Jar Binks around for comic relief with One Midichlorian Jedi on the scene.

CHARACTER: The Total Man Package

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: Self Righteous Pro Wrestling Egomaniac who has taken the Pseudo Reality of Pro Wrestling as Reality and applies it to his daily life and everyone else's.