As soon as you record your original creation or work, whether in writing or another form, copyright begins automatically.

There is no registration of copyright in Barbados or in many of the other foreign countries that recognize Barbadian copyright holders.

The finished product of your work must bear your name and the year or date of creation or publication. You may also use the universal copyright symbol © or the word "copyright" on the copies of your work alongside your name and the date or year.

This serves to give notice to others of your rights in the work and help you prove your copyright ownership in Court. A common method of recording copyright is to place a copy of your creation in a self-addressed envelope, seal it and post it to yourself via registered mail.

Once the envelope arrives, leave the envelope sealed and keep it safely. This method serves as further proof of your copyright. You are advised to also keep all rough work, sketches and materials used in the creative process as further proof.

Copyright in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works is deemed to last for the lifetime of its creator plus the period of 50 years after his or her death.

In the case of sound recordings and film, the duration is 50 years from the end of the year in which it was made.

In terms of cable or broadcast programming, copyright lasts for 50 years from the end of the year in which the broadcast took place.

Copyright in typographical arrangements lasts for 25 years from the year in which the edition was first published.