How do I copyright characters and stories that I come up with?

[breakaway]

If I create a lot of original characters and stories, how do I go about getting a copyright on it? If I post the images on the internet, I know technically I would hold the copyright to those images, but am afraid someone could steal them and claim it to be theirs. I'm also thinking of publishing a comic or book later on.
Thanks

 

[FlyingRon]

If I create a lot of original characters and stories, how do I go about getting a copyright on it? If I post the images on the internet, I know technically I would hold the copyright to those images, but am afraid someone could steal them and claim it to be theirs. I'm also thinking of publishing a comic or book later on.
Thanks

"Characters" are not protected by copyright. Your expression of them in a story or in artwork is. They are protected from the moment you express them in a tangible form (draw them). You can get a little extra protection by filing them with the copyright office. Lots of information at www.copyright.gov

 

[breakaway]

Thanks that link is very helpful....if I have 10 characters that I drew as artwork, could I submit all of them as one thing, or do I have to submit each seperately?

 

[quincy]

If you want to register all of your characters at once, as part of a series, you can save money by registering them as a group. Information on "group registration" is available at the copyright site FlyingRon posted above. This site will show you all the different forms available - both for your characters now, and the comic or the book you intend to write later. For your drawings, for instance, you would want a VA form, for visual art, and a TX form would be filed for your book. Each form is described pretty well, so you will know what best suits your work.