When does copyright protection start? It starts automatically, as soon as you create an original work. It’s like having a baby (ie your creative, brain child)… as soon as it’s in this world it’s yours and it’s covered by copyright protection. You don’t have to DO anything… other than create it and put it in a fixed and tangible form.
What does this mean? As soon as you have written a song down; typed out a manuscript; applied pen or paint to paper… copyright protection starts automatically.
Using the copyright symbol © and registering your copyright with the US Copyright Office are two extra steps that give you more rights in your copyrighted work if and when you want to sell it, transfer it or protect it from being abused, misused or copied by other folks.
There is 99.999% chance that you have created original works that are already covered by copyright protection… even if you didn’t know it.
For more info SEE:
–> How and why to use the © copyright symbol?: http://t.co/iBjePPU
–> Copyright registration only costs $35: http://t.co/ykPmZ3T
BY: Vanessa Kaster, Esq., LL.M.
vk@kasterlegal.com
IP Legal Freebies Blog 
Thank you! I’m a writer and editor–though I know little abt. copywriting, and recently began a blog about my experiences working with the homeless. I’ll eventually compile it into a book, and so I was wondering about this.
You’re welcome. And good luck with your book!