Well if you're manga's original art work, and story archs then yeah, you'll need to get it licensed. And you can do that by be going to www. copyright.gov/forms/ and downloading the VA( Visual Arts) form, and Tx( Literary Works) form. The initial fee for sending in only one form is $45 dollars, Which means if you send in two that would a 90 dollar fee.( Sorry for stating the obvious.) But be sure to send in a check or a money order. And you know why that is required right?

Yes I have dreams, and fate seems to place me among others with dreams like mine.

Yup yup. Hey and thanx for the help. So licensing and copyrights are only 45 a piece? Man that's cheaper then what I thought it was gonna be. An yeah it all original. So when I send it in do I send in all the characters and stuff like that?

I go where the wind takes me.

First off trademarks are usually specific words and fonts in a specific style. Like the golden arches of McDonalds is a Trademark.

And on copyright I know alot of people feel the need to protect their work, but the need for copyright isn't as important as you think (and gets a bit tricky to hold up in any case). As long as you have prior-art, proof of when you did your work, then that's a solid defense of your work. Also a copyright is a good as you enforce it. Just because you have a copyright doesn't mean people can't steal your idea. You have to actively sue a copyright infringement. If yout don't sue a copyright infringement, that shows proof that your okay with such infringements against your work.

In all honesty, I would be more concerned about getting your work done and then when you publish it (online or offline) then you can worry about copyright.

Hey thanx for the tip, but what would I need to get to be able to put a barcode for distribution purposes?

Sorry if I'm asking too many questions, but I'd rather be safe then sorry ya know.

I go where the wind takes me.

First a barcode needs to be tied to an ISBN number or it's not of much use. It's not wise to get ISBNs straight from the source ( http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp because they sell ISBNs in blocks of 10 at $250 a pop. If you publish though a Print-On-Demand service like say Lulu.com, then you can order a single ISBN through them for $50. What is also good with a POD service is that some of them can get you listed with book stores and Amazon. If it's just you with a barcode on your book, most stores won't look at you without a distributor. It's just the way they do business. Even then you have to talk to them about order copies. Also it's a EAN 13 Barcode that goes with a Book ISBN Number.

Honestly I would suggest shopping a book around to publishers before jumping into self publishing.

kool kool. I'll do that then. You know any publishers off the top of your head that would be interested in publishing a manga?

I go where the wind takes me.

My pleasure, though I never really looked at $45 as cheap> (It's because I'm frugale.) And yes with a VA form, you are required to send in photocopies of the characters you want licensed.....Assuming you wanna go through with it.

Yes I have dreams, and fate seems to place me among others with dreams like mine.

Thanks again dogg! This may come in handy for me.... Though I have to take care of some legal issues first.

Yes I have dreams, and fate seems to place me among others with dreams like mine.

Hey no problem glad I could be of service.

I go where the wind takes me.