Protect: How to Safeguard Your Work with Copyright, ISBNs, and Legal Tools
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
When you’ve spent months—or years—working on your writing, the last thing you want is for someone to copy it, profit from it, or publish it without your permission. That’s why this stage matters. Protecting your writing isn’t just about legal paperwork—it’s about giving your creativity the respect it deserves and setting your work up for long-term success.
Whether you’re writing a book, blog, workbook, or poetry collection, this post walks you through how to protect your work using the right legal tools, ISBNs, and copyright processes. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need to be a lawyer to understand it.
Why Writers Need Legal Protection
Here’s the hard truth: just because you wrote it doesn’t mean other people will respect it.
Writers sometimes assume their work is automatically protected just because it exists. And while that’s partly true in the U.S. (copyright protection begins the moment your work is in a fixed form), enforcing that protection is a different story.
Protecting your writing gives you:
Legal proof that the work is yours
The ability to defend your rights if someone copies you
Access to major book distribution systems (many require an ISBN)
Peace of mind that your creativity is respected
Think of this stage as the “lock and key” part of your writing journey. You don’t just build the house (write the book)—you also install a deadbolt to protect what’s inside.
What Is Copyright?
Copyright is the legal protection that gives creators ownership over their original work. That includes books, poems, blog posts, art, music, scripts, and more.
In the U.S., as soon as your writing is fixed in a “tangible form” (like typed in a document or printed in a notebook), it’s technically copyrighted. But if you ever need to prove ownership in a legal setting, it’s much easier if you’ve officially registered your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Benefits of Copyright Registration:
Legal record of ownership
Right to sue for damages in court
Ability to collect statutory damages and attorney fees
Stronger defense against theft or plagiarism
Cost: $45–$65 (as of 2025), depending on the type of filing.
You can register online at www.copyright.gov.
What Is an ISBN and Do You Need One?
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier assigned to your book. If you plan to sell or distribute your book, having an ISBN is a smart move.
An ISBN helps:
Bookstores, libraries, and online retailers catalog your book
Readers and sellers distinguish your book from others
Distributors track inventory and sales
Do all writers need an ISBN?
Yes if you're self-publishing a paperback, hardcover, or eBook and want it listed through online sellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IngramSpark).
No if you're only publishing for personal use or not selling your book to the public.
You can buy your ISBNs through Bowker in the U.S. (the official provider). As of 2025, prices are:
$125 for 1 ISBN
$295 for 10 ISBNs (a better deal if you plan to publish multiple books or editions)
Some self-publishing platforms (like Amazon KDP) offer free ISBNs, but they often limit where else you can publish. Buying your own gives you full control.
For an ISBN personal experience, I started out planning to only write a book or two on for Amazon. I used their ISBNs. Then I realized no one knows me and I was a pebble in the ocean. To do a second version, you have to make some changes. Luckily, I had learned so much about my mistakes, it gave me an opportunity to redo the covers, write better descriptions and more. It was like starting from scratch. So I highly recommend people to think about how much they plan to write and plan accordingly. It is cheaper to get more ISBN from Bowker. Then you can distribute your books EVERYWHERE that you choose.
Trademarks and Legal Names
If you’re building a brand, coaching service, or publishing company, you may want to go a step further and:
Trademark your business or book series name
Register your business name (DBA)
Create an LLC or sole proprietorship
Trademarks protect names, logos, slogans, and brand identity, not the content of your book. But they’re helpful if you plan to sell merchandise, run events, or publish a book series under one recognizable name.
For example:
"Chicken Soup for the Soul®" is a trademarked book series.
"Surviving Life Lessons®" could be trademarked if used as a brand name.
You can check for trademark availability at USPTO.gov.
Copyright vs. Trademark vs. ISBN – Quick Comparison
Tool | Protects | When You Need It |
Copyright | Original written content | Any book, blog, poem, etc. |
Trademark | Name, logo, brand ID | Book series, business name |
ISBN | Book identifier for retailers | If selling/distributing books |
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Not necessarily.
Most solo writers can complete copyright and ISBN registrations on their own using official websites. However, if you’re creating a book-based business, co-writing with someone, or planning to sell globally, consider talking to a publishing or intellectual property attorney for peace of mind.
What If Someone Steals Your Work?
If you ever suspect someone has copied your writing:
Document it: Save screenshots and URLs.
Reach out politely: Sometimes it’s accidental. Ask for removal or proper credit.
Use DMCA tools: Most platforms have copyright complaint forms.
Contact a lawyer: If your copyright is registered, you have stronger legal footing.
Remember, having the right protections in place early on can prevent a lot of headaches later.
The Prompt Corner
The Prompt Corner is a place to spark reflection, creativity, and growth. Whether you’re building a blog, writing your first book, or publishing poetry, these prompts help you slow down and put your journey into words.
Here are five prompts to help you explore your relationship with ownership and authorship:
What does it mean to you to own your words?
Have you ever felt nervous to share your work? Why?
Write a short “about the author” bio that celebrates your creativity.
What do you want your writing legacy to protect or stand for?
What would you say to someone who copied your work without permission?
Try one or all. Just begin. Your story deserves protection—and so do you.
Free & Paid Tools to Support Your Writing
Explore these tools to safeguard your work, get official book IDs, and learn your rights as a writer. These change weekly, so check back for more!
U.S. Copyright Office – Official site to register your copyright (U.S.)
MyIdentifiers.com (Bowker) – Buy ISBNs in the United States
Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) – Check availability of names or logos
Creative Class Contracts – Affordable contracts and templates for writers
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to use them, it helps support our website at no extra cost to you. Want more tools? Check out the full list in the Resources tab of our site.
Want more tools? Check out the full list of writing resources on the resource page on our website.
Write with Us: Safeguard Your Work
This part of the journey is where your work becomes more than words—it becomes something worth protecting. Whether you’re registering a copyright, purchasing ISBNs, or just learning what your options are, this step gives you ownership. Don’t skip it. The world needs your voice, but it also needs you to safeguard it.
Next week, we’ll move into Step 6: Publish – Distribution & Sales Platforms. You’ve written it, polished it, and protected it. Now, it’s time to get your book out into the world and into readers’ hands.
Until then, keep writing boldly—and protect what you’ve built.
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