WRITER'S RIGHTS & COPYRIGHT

A Novice Writer's Guide to Rights: Know your rights (i.e. your copyrights: First Serial, One-Time, Reprint, Electronic, etc.) before you sign that contract or submit an article, and save yourself some lost income and heartache later.

ASJA Contracts Watch: A searchable Web page and email newsletter maintained by the American Society of Journalists and Authors to serve as a watchdog on the publishing industry for freelance writers. If you are actively pursuing a freelance writing career, you should subscribe to the newsletter, and beginners should read a few of the newsletters in the Archives just to see how badly some magazines treat their freelancers and which publications to avoid altogether.

CopyLaw.com: From the Law Offices of Lloyd J. Jassin, this site offers a wide range of articles and information on copyright law, including articles on electronic rights, rules for using public domain materials and work for hire agreements.

U.S. Copyright Office: Everything you need to know about copyrights, as well as copyright application forms (in PDF Format) that you can download, view and print.

The Copyright Website: Copyright information, downloadable copyright forms, copyright and the WWW issues, and news.

Writer Beware: Warnings and cautions for writers.

10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained: Copyright and the Internet.

The Publishing Law Center: Numerous articles regarding publishing, copyright and trademark protection, subsidiary rights, electronic rights, licensing, etc.

Contract Employee's Handbook: "Self-reliance and security for contract employees" — things every smart freelancer and contract worker should know.

SOME MORE GOOD SITES:
•Authors and the IRS
•Basic Copyright Concepts for Authors
•Copyright Clearance & Fair Use
•Journalist Electronic Rights Negotiation Strategies
•Patent, Copyright & Trademark Law