How to Register for a Copyright
Recording a U.S. Copyright is Easy
Establishing a public record as owner of your work not only protects you, it helps you receive full benefits of ownership.
Protecting yourself and your work can help authors avoid common and regrettable mistakes. Registering for a copyright only takes a few moments and can give a writer peace of mind as well as help save potential lost revenue. Gaining a basic understanding of copyrighting is important too.
“Full benefit” of copyrighting simply means that when your work is registered as copyrighted, you have infringement protection in a court of law. To insure your legal rights as owner of your book or manuscript, registration is necessary for works of U.S. origin.
Your work does not need to be “published”. Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright. Unlike the law before 1978, when a work has been registered in unpublished form, it is not necessary to make another registration when the work becomes published, although the copyright owner may register the published edition, if desired
Where to begin?
To register for your copyright, you must first submit an application to the U.S. Copyright Office. Forms can be downloaded in PDF. (Adobe Acrobat Reader) or can be requested by phone at (202) 707-9100.
Each type of work will have a different application form. Literary works have several options. If you are the lone author or have not completed the work under a commission of employment, you can simplify the process by using a “Short Form”. The requirements for most short forms are fairly simple.
The most common short form for authors is the Short Form TX and is used to register both published and unpublished literary works. Examples include fiction and nonfiction, books, short stories, poems, collections of poetry, essays, articles in serials, and computer programs. The Short Form PA is used for dramas, music and lyrics.
The current basic filing fee is approximately $45. In July, 2007, the U.S. Copyright Office began testing online filing for limited (including Short Form) works. Filing electronically is quicker and less expensive, costing only $35. To be considered for web-based filing, you must fill out an application.
When you submit your work to be registered, make sure you send a copy of your work, as it is non-returnable. The standard requirement is to send one copy of an unpublished work and two copies for published.
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, SE.
Washington, D.C. 20559 6000
How long will it take for the complete process?
Once the Copyright Office receives your work, the registration becomes effective on that day. The Office processes approximately 600,000 applications a year, about 2,400 submissions each day. When they determine that your work meets the requirements of Copyright law and regulations, your registration is assigned a number and a certificate of registration is issued. From start to finish, it usually takes about 4 months after you submit your request..
Another advantage of registration is that it allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies.
If you have concerns about your work being copied, whether you are published or not, then copyright registration is probably a sound financial as well as emotional choice.
