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The Question
(Submitted September 08, 1996)
I have a new theory concerning astrophysics. I am writing a study about it
and am proving it. Please give me any tips on how to make my theory
copyrighted!
The Answer
Scientific theories cannot be copyrighted. Science advances by the free
exchange of ideas. Publications which discuss theories can be copyrighted,
to ensure that authors and publishers receive proper credit for their work.
If you would like details of that process, which typically results in the
publisher holding the copyright, you might want to talk to the publisher of
an appropriate scientific journal or a copyright lawyer. Copyright law is
well outside our area of expertise. You could establish priority for your
ideas by releasing them on the Internet (to a newsgroup or on a web page).
We are glad that you are interested in astrophysics, but we're concerned that
you seem unfamiliar with the way that scientists communicate their work
through publication. If you haven't received much training in science it
is very unlikely that you will be able to make important contributions to
astrophysical theory until you have thoroughly learned the craft. It
usually takes several years of intense study and practice at a good
university to become competent in even a small sub-field of modern
astrophysics - but, quoting a colleague, 'Only those who are familiar
with the current state of the art can hope to surpass it'.
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