Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Copyright protection

Dice-K pitching against the Yankees. Sox fan Kurt Lusas saw it all, but when he saw this Japanese flag, it really got him thinking.

Kurt Lusas, artist
"I thought it might look cool to put the Boston 'B' into the middle of the flag."

Kurt's a musician, but suddenly, art was on his mind. So, he sketched out an idea for a T-shirt! He even had some printed up.

Kurt Lusas, artist 
"I thought it looked cool."

His next step was to get a copyright to protect his brainstorm. He found a Web site that promised to help him process his application. The charge: $240.

Kurt Lusas, artist
"I was like, get it done now. Get it done now, before someone else comes up with it."

He got an order confirmation, a receipt and sent in his design.

Kurt Lusas, artist
"I was supposed to receive some kind of packet in the mail with more information on it."

A week later, nothing. Kurt called and e-mailed, but no answer.

Kurt Lusas, artist
"I was getting aggravated."

After two weeks of nothing, Kurt wondered if he'd been scammed. He called a friend for advice.

Kurt Lusas, artist
"He had suggested that I write to Hank."

Experts say if you've got artwork, photos, text, any permanent item you've created, getting copyright protection is a good idea. It doesn't confirm your item is unique, Kurt's on his own there, but it'll protect you if it is.

Patricia Nelson, New England Chair, Copyright Society of USA
"If you create an original work, you can prevent anybody else from using that work, from copying it."

7NEWS called the Web site. Turns out, it's actually a company not connected to the federal government. It sends in copyright applications for you, then charges you for that service. But experts say that's a service you might not need.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS Investigative Reporter
"So, you'd say that often this is a do it yourself process?"

Patricia Nelson, NE Chair, Copyright Society of USA
"Absolutely, it's not complicated at all. It's actually very easy."

And remember, for a simple copyright registration, Kurt paid $245.

Patricia Nelson, NE Chair, Copyright Society of USA
"The fee for registering a copyright is $45."

Now, turns out the company confirmed it did file Kurt's paperwork as promised. Kurt's now waiting to hear from the feds about his registration.

But on the U.S. Copyright Office Web site, you can find the same forms the company used. Using them, Kurt could have saved $200. Now, he says, next time he'll know.

Kurt Lusas, artist
"Since I've done this one, I've been sketching and coming up with other designs, too."

(Copyright 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)