Since reading about what happened to Dustmeat's art I thought I would post this for your own use. I have had to use it only once and only on a small level but it works.

If you want to copyright a peace of art or something you have written you need to have proof of the date you completed it. To do this simply place a copy of your art in an envelope, seal it, place a stamp on it and take it to the post office. DO NOT PLACE IT IN A MAIL BOX. Go to the clerk at the desk and ask them to cancel the stamp with a hand stamp that has that days date on it. Then you can mail it to yourself. When you get it back in the mail DO NOT OPEN IT. File it away so you know whats in it. Now you have a sealed envelope containing your art, but most importantly that envelope has a government issued stamp with the date on it.

If you should need it request that the judge is the one opening the envelope.

Its simple and it can help.

Please post this in your journal if you wish.