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by jasomill 859 days ago
No. In the US, at least, copyright law applies as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression.

Per the Copyright Office[1]:

A work is fixed when it is captured (either by or under the authority of an author) in a sufficiently permanent medium such that the work can be perceived, reproduced, or communicated for more than a short time. For example, a work is fixed when you write it down or record it.

[1] https://www.copyright.gov/what-is-copyright/