Copyright by mailing to yourself

A clever question!

Mailing a copy of a work to oneself is a common practice known as "mailing a copy to oneself" or "self-mailing." This technique is often used to establish a paper trail or create a record of ownership, particularly in cases where the creator of the work wants to demonstrate that they were the original author or owner.

In the context of copyright law, mailing a copy of a work to oneself can be used to establish a date of creation or publication, which can be important in determining the scope of copyright protection. By sending a copy of the work to oneself, the creator can demonstrate that they had possession of the work on a specific date, which can be useful in disputes over ownership or authorship.

However, it's important to note that simply mailing a copy of a work to oneself does not automatically grant copyright protection. Copyright protection is typically granted by the country in which the work is created, and the creator must meet certain formalities, such as registering the work with the relevant copyright office, to obtain legal protection.

In the United States, for example, the Copyright Act of 1976 provides that copyright protection is automatic upon creation of the work, but registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is required to establish a public record of the copyright and to obtain certain legal benefits, such as the right to sue for infringement.

In summary, mailing a copy of a work to oneself can be a useful way to establish a paper trail or create a record of ownership, but it is not a substitute for formal copyright registration.