Intellectual Property Law

What are other ways that I can prove something is my intellectual property other than copyrighting it?

My friend told me about a guy who took the original print of his novel, put it in a package and sent it to himself, but never opened it. When someone else stole his idea for the novel, he presented the package in court and since it was unopened it proved that he was the author of the novel. So are there other ways you can copyright something without spending a single dollar?

Public Comments

1. The whole idea of sending it to yourself in the mail is to get it postmarked. That in essence proves you created it no later than the date stamped on the sealed envelope its in. However, if you have a log or journal thats dated and shows progression it can help establish date of creation. Sad truth is if someone big enough, someone with a lawyer on retention for example, really wants your idea hes gonna just plain take it, and theres not a thing you can do about it.