What is copyright for authors?

Copyright is a bundle of legal rights that lets the creator of an original work decide who may copy, publish, translate, adapt or perform it. For authors, it covers the text of the book — the specific words and expression — but not the underlying ideas, facts, titles or short phrases.

Under the Berne Convention, which most countries including the US, UK and India have joined, copyright arises automatically when an original work is created in a fixed form; you do not need to register or print a notice to own it. Registration is optional but can bring advantages in some countries — in the US, for example, registration with the Copyright Office is generally required before suing for infringement in a US court, and registering early can make certain remedies available. India also has an optional registration system through its Copyright Office.

How long copyright lasts depends on the country and the type of work. For books by individual authors, it is commonly the author's life plus 70 years in the US, UK and EU, and life plus 60 years in India. After it expires, the work enters the public domain.

When you self-publish, you normally keep your copyright and grant stores a licence to sell the book. Read platform terms and any contracts with editors, illustrators or co-authors to see what rights you are granting. This is general information, not legal advice; consult a qualified lawyer for your situation.