advice on copyright protection

[rita_kujat]

what is the best way to protect your artworks from unauthorized use or reproduction?
is it really advisable to copyright your works?
almost all of the online art galleries i have visited have a copyright protection of their works which made me wonder if it's really necessary to do so.
how and where can one obtain a copyright? is it really worth the time and effort to do so?
while this may be premature for the level of work im producing, im just curious about the legalities.
please advice.
thank you.

rita kujat

[ratcheer]

This should provide what you need to know:

http://copyrightlaws.com/index2.html

Or, just enter "copyright law" into Google and you will find more than you can look at in a week.

Tim

[rita_kujat]

thanks! i will be checking the site now.

[joelw135]

I don't know if it is correct, but I use this.
’…’‚‚©Copyright J.XXXXXXX I put that on all my pictures.