working/legalized/pen/etc names

[Katya]

What is the name of your state? Connecticut

I've searched this site (and others) but so far cannot find this info:

Can I copyright a work (writing, art, etc) under a working name? Specifically, if that working name IS my legal name in part.

Example: say my full legal name is Jane Elizabeth Doe. Can I copyright a work of mine as Elizabeth Doe?

I know I can copyright my work as Jane Doe (without the middle name), so I'm hoping the same stands true for using only the middle and last, without the first.

Thanks in advance for any help, I've not been able to find info on this issue.

 

[divgradcurl]

"Can I copyright a work (writing, art, etc) under a working name?"

Yes.

 

[Katya]

Thank you for the succinct reply.

Can you (or anyone) advise me as to where I might find this legal info confirmed in print? I'd like to use my Middle Last legally and will need to find out if there are any procedures I must go through to do so, or if it's something one simply just starts doing (which I doubt).

Again, I appreciate the help.

 

[divgradcurl]

"A pseudonym or pen name may be used by an author of a copyrighted work. A work is pseudonymous if the author is identified on copies or phonorecords of that work by a fictitious name (nicknames or other diminutive forms of one’s legal name are not considered “fictitious”). As is the case with other names, the pseudonym itself is not protected by copyright.

If you are writing under a pseudonym but wish to be identified by your legal name in the records of the Copyright Office, you should give your legal name followed by your pseudonym at the “name of author” line at space 2 of the application (example: “Judith Barton whose pseudonym is Madeline Elster”). You should also check “yes” in the box at space 2 which asks “Was this author’s contribution to the work pseudonymous?” If the author is identified in the records of the Copyright Office, the term of the copyright is the author’s life plus 70 years.

If you are writing under a pseudonym but do not wish to have your identity revealed in the records of the Copyright Office, you should give your pseudonym and identify it as such (example: “Huntley Haverstock, pseudonym”) or you may leave the “name of author” space blank. You must, however, identify the citizenship or domicile of the author.

In no case should space 4 (name of copyright claimant) be left blank. You may use a pseudonym in completeing the claimant space, but you should also be aware that if a copyright is held under a fictitious name, business dealings involving that property may raise questions of ownership of the copyright property. You should consult an attorney for legal advice on these matters.

If the author is not identified in the records of the Copyright Office, the term of copyright is 95 years from publication of the work, or 120 years from its creation, whichever term expires first. If the author’s identity is later revealed in the records of the Copyright Office, the copyright term then becomes the author’s life plus 70 years.

FL-101, June 1999"

http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl101.html

 

[Katya]

"... A work is pseudonymous if the author is identified on copies or phonorecords of that work by a fictitious name (nicknames or other diminutive forms of one’s legal name are not considered “fictitious”). As is the case with other names, the pseudonym itself is not protected by copyright.

A quick THANK YOU!!! before delving into that link you posted, and yet another favor: In what I've quoted above, it certainly seems to say that I CAN use my Middle Last as a legal, working name for copyright purposes. I see by your profile that you are a law student, so obviously you know much more about this than I do. In your opinion (I understand the usual disclaimer that this is not actual legal advice, yadda yadda): Am I right? I actually can use my Middle Last legally for copyright purposes?

Once again, thanks so much, and thanks again for the link!

Cheers,
Katya

Dang, the bb code isn't on, but you get the idea, I take it.

 

[divgradcurl]

" I actually can use my Middle Last legally for copyright purposes?"

Yes.