eBooks, or electronic books, mean big business for all aspiring writers. Not only can eBooks be sold in their own right as standalone products, but eBooks are fast becoming the weapon of choice for marketing gurus!

Many business owners and webmasters pay writers to write eBooks for them. Writers spend hours, days and weeks researching material and writing the eBook. But for writers, business owners & webmasters alike, there is often little in the way of protection in place that stops unscrupulous operators from stealing eBook content. Shockingly, 4 out of every 10 eBooks offered for sale on the Internet are pirated. Material from legitimate eBooks are taken without the owner's knowledge, and passed off as original content every single day!

I should know...I was a victim!

I have written and published 5 eBooks on various topics in the past year, the content of which has all been stolen and used as original copy on other people's web sites. The sad thing is, MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS DO NOT REALIZE THEY ARE DOING ANYTHING WRONG!

US Copyright law, and for that matter, most copyright laws around the world state that as soon as a book, e-book or other material is published, the author has immediate & full backing under copyright infringement law. Unfortunately for many writers & publishers, placing a " � Copyright - All Rights Reserved " statement on their material affords little in the way of protection these days, unless there is a good team of attorneys and a bottomless pit of cash to back it up with.

So what are your options?

1) Copyright Registration - If you're serious about protecting your hard work you'll need to register your e-book through a professional copyright service.

To register copyright, visit one of these service providers -

IN NORTH AMERICA

Click &Copyright
http://www.clickandcopyright.com/

IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Writers' Copyright Association-UK
http://www.wcauk.com/

Copyright registration though is only worthwhile if you can follow it through with lawyers & attorneys?and the cost can sometimes hurt!

2) International Standard Book Number (ISBN) - If you're really, really serious about protecting your hard work you'll need to register for an ISBN number. This will give you a bit more clout when dealing with copyright infringement.

3) EAN Bar Codes - If you're really, really, really serious about protecting your hard work you'll need to buy an EAN bar code. This can get expensive but gives your lawyers something to latch onto when taking proceedings against people who have infringed copyright.

4) Digital Content Protection Systems - If you're really, really, really, really serious about protecting your hard work for a fraction of the cost of other routes then go for a digital content protection system like Virtual Vault. This type of program protects your eBook AT SOURCE, so there's no need to chase people through court, as they won't be able to steal it in the first place!

S Jay is a professional writer and owner ofCopyright-Protect.net - http://www.copyright-protect.net