I'm not sure if it worked the same way then, but now copyright begins when a work is created even without registration. But that's nearly unenforceable. The next step is to declare the copyright - So for instance "this post Copyright 2014 by Steve Birmingham" A Google group I'm on briefly required that in the signoff since some people were starting groups for as revenue and copying posts from other groups. The copyright mention basically stopped it especially once Google caught on. The formal step is registering the copyright, which is the most lasting and enforceable version.
If someone is an actual IP lawyer and I've got that wrong --Correct away I'll learn a bit.
As I understand it the publication is often done before the formal copyright. For instance SI couldn't hold up publication of a timely weekly magazine if they waited for the copyright to be issued. And Dads PHD thesis had to be printed before he could send it in. (Just why they made him copyright it is a mystery to me- I'll have to ask him next time I call. )
Steve B