Cambridge, MA asked in Copyright for Massachusetts

Q: Can I copyright a book under a pseudonym without having to give my real name?

I want to copyright my book. But I’ve written it under a pseudonym because I don’t want people know I wrote the book. Is there a way to do this without giving my true information? Maybe get a P.O. Box under the pseudonym?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Steve Charles Vondran
PREMIUM
Steve Charles Vondran pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • San Francisco, CA

A: Registering copyright for a book written under a pseudonym can be done without using a real name. The copyright registration process involves submitting your work, along with other necessary materials, to the copyright office. When registering copyright under a pseudonym, the copyright form should reflect that but will also ask for contact information to provide any copyright-related correspondence. This can be an address and/or phone number and does not necessarily need to reflect the copyright holder's real name. Additionally, copyright notices in published works should indicate the author's chosen pseudonym or pen name in order to properly protect the work from any copyright infringement. This is general legal information only and not legal advice. Best of luck, Attorney Steve®

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.