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In order to use a pen name, stage name, psudonym, alias, etc., enter it into the Author fields when you create the project. You can also revise the project after you publish your work and change the author name. See How do I revise my published book, change something, correct an error, replace the cover art, etc? for more information.

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:58:59 | Back to top

If you plan to purchase a distribution service, DO NOT use HTML in your description. Online bookstores cannot interpret HTML or other advanced characters. Also, type directly into the Description field rather than cutting and pasting from a word processing program.

If you list your work only on Lulu, you may enter the following HTML tags in the Description field:

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:58:59 | Back to top

1. Be sure that your work is eligible. The following shows who is eligible to register their copyright with the U.S. Copyright office:
   • On the date of first publication, one or more of the authors is a national or domiciliary of the United States, or is a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of a treaty party or is a stateless person wherever that person may be domiciled.
   • The work is first published in the United States or in a foreign nation that, on the date of first publication, is a treaty party. For purposes of this condition, a work that is published in the United States or a treaty party within 30 days after publication in a foreign nation that is not a treaty party shall be considered to be first published in the United States or such treaty party, as the case may be.
   • The work is a sound recording that was first fixed in a treaty party.
   • The work is a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work that is incorporated in a building or other structure, or an architectural work that is embodied in a building and the building or structure is located in the United States or a treaty party.
   • The work is first published by the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies, or by the Organization of American States.
   • The work is a foreign work that was in the public domain in the United States prior to 1996 and its copyright was restored under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA)
   • The work comes within the scope of a Presidential proclamation.
2. Download and print the proper form from the U.S. Copyright website (www.copyright.gov).
   • Literary works: Form TX http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formtx.pdf
   • Performing Arts: Form PA (You will need this form if your work is a stage or screen play) http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formpa.pdf
   • Sound Recordings: Form SR http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formsr.pdf
   • Visual Arts: Form VA http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formva.pdf
   
   Send the completed application, the filing fee of $45.00 USD and 2 copies of your work to:
   Library of Congress
   Copyright Office
   101 Independence Ave SE
   Washington, DC 20559-6000
   
   
3. Your registration with the copyright office takes effect the moment your application, fee, and 2 copies of your work arrive at the office. The copyright office will send a certificate of registration to your mailing address in approximately 4 months.
   
   If you need further information, please visit the United States Copyright website at www.copyright.gov.

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:59:06 | Back to top

The copyright notice is a combination of the copyright year and the information entered in the Copyright Notice field (including the copyright holder's name). The following shows how Lulu creates a notice using the copyright information provided in the product wizard.

Copyright Year: 2006
Copyright Notice: by Grace Meadows. All rights reserved.
The above information forms this copyright notice: © 2006 by Grace Meadows. All rights reserved.

The complete copyright notice appears on the Product Detail page on Lulu.

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:59:07 | Back to top

According to United States copyright law, a work is considered copyrighted as soon as it is created in a tangible form. In other words, you own the copyright to your book as soon as you write it. You don’t have to register with the copyright office for protection. However, holding a registered copyright can can be useful in the event of litigation.

• Both published and unpublished works are considered copyrighted.
• If you register your work with the copyright office, this registration can be used in court should a lawsuit occur. It provides protection for your work if someone infringes or challenges your copyright.
• If you believe that someone else has infringed your copyright, you should consult an attorney. You can file a civil suit; a criminal investigation may be appropriate.
• Keep in mind that US copyright law doesn’t cover all types of works. Titles, names, slogans, and concepts are examples of materials that are not protected by copyright. You are responsible for knowing whether your work is a protected type.
• Remember that although the US has copyright relations with many nations across the world, not all countries honor the US’s copyright laws.

Note: Please keep in mind that Lulu does not offer legal advice or protection. Following copyright laws is the responsibility of you as a Lulu author because you retain the copyright to your work when it is published on Lulu.com. For more information, check out the United States Copyright Office online at www.copyright.gov.

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:59:07 | Back to top

You, as a publisher through Lulu, are responsible for respecting copyrights. When you use another work within your own, make sure that you have the proper copyright permissions.

• For works published since 1978, copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years.
• For works before 1978, the copyright duration varies. It is always best to research a work to determine whether it is still protected. The US Copyright Office can help you do this.
• Many works are in the public domain (particularly older works) because their copyright has expired or they don’t qualify for protection. You may use these unreservedly. Make sure that the edition or translation that you want to use is not copyrighted by the editor or translator.
• The law provides specific exceptions to the use of protected work. The fair use clause of United States copyright law allows limited portions of copyrighted work to be used for criticism or academic purposes. However, genres like “fan fiction” are not considered fair use and do violate copyright law. Since it is sometimes difficult to determine, it is best to obtain permission to use copyrighted material if there is any doubt at all.
• Images are protected by copyright as well as the written word. Even if a certain work of art is in the public domain, the copyright for the actual image that you have may be held by the photographer who took that particular image. You need the copyriight holder's permission to use the work.
• Many online resources contain information about works in the public domain; some sites provide galleries of images that may be used. It is worthwhile to do the research to ensure that your book or project does not violate any copyright laws, especially older works.

Note: Lulu does not offer legal advice or protection. Following copyright laws is your responsibility as a Lulu author or publisher because you retain the copyright to your work when it is published on Lulu.com. For more information, check out the United States Copyright Office online at www.copyright.gov.

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:59:43 | Back to top

The access level identifies who can find and view a specific project on Lulu's site.

• Private Access - Available only to you. No one but you can see or search for your content. (This is a good setting to use until you are satisfied with your project.)
• Direct Access - Available by direct URL. The content is restricted to customers you select. You receive a web URL at the end of the publishing process; send this as a link to the people you want to see and purchase your work. Visitors cannot find Direct Access content by searching for it.
• General Access - Available to anyone. Your project is available through search and browse on Lulu. In order to assign a General Access level, your material must meet the following guidelines:
  • Title: No excessive or gratuitous profanity.
  • Cover Image: No suggestive or gratuitous nudity, or overly sexually explicit posing.
  • Description: No graphic descriptions or excessive profanity.
  • Preview: No suggestive or gratuitous nudity, or overly sexually explicit posing. No graphic descriptions. No excessive or gratuitous profanity.

Note: Your project must meet the guidelines in the Membership Agreement.

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:59:43 | Back to top

Each project has an associated Availability/Project Status that determines who can find and preview the completed work. Set and modify this status in the last step of the publishing process (Review) or through your project's Revise page.

Direct Access provides a method to sell your work to specific individuals only. When you pick Direct Access, you receive a Web address at the end of the publishing process to send to your customers. (The address is http://www.lulu.com/content/content_ID, where content_ID is the identification number for your project.) Search returns do not include content that has a Direct Access level assigned to it.

The Project Status for work with a Direct Access audience is "Available."

General Access opens your work to all the Lulu.com visitors. When you pick General Access, your work displays in search results and on your storefront.

The Project Status for work with a Direct Access audience is "Available."

Private Access makes your project private; only you may see or purchase it.

The Project Status for work marked Private Access is "Published."

For more information, please see What do the access levels mean? and What does each status in the Project List mean?

Last updated: 2008-12-01 10:59:45 | Back to top