How to register your work with the US Copyright Office?

Welcome to the Registration Portal. This is your starting point for all things related to the registration of copyrights. Choose a category below to find out more about the different works typically registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

When does copyright exist in an original work?

Copyright exists automatically in an original work of authorship once it is fixed, but a copyright owner can take steps to enhance the protections. The most important step is registering the work.

Do you need to register a copyright for a film?

Most works eligible for copyright protection do not require registration or other formalities, except for cinematograph films. You can create your own copyright by putting the words “copyright” or “copyright reserved” or the internationally recognised copyright symbol followed by your name and the year e.g. © Baloyi 2011 on your original work.

Can a work made for hire be copyrighted?

Copyright law allows ownership through “works made for hire,” which establishes that works created by an employee within the scope of employment are owned by the employer. The work made for hire doctrine also applies to certain independent contractor relationships, for certain types of commissioned works.

Welcome to the Registration Portal. This is your starting point for all things related to the registration of copyrights. Choose a category below to find out more about the different works typically registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

How is a copyright certificate issued by the Copyright Office?

What the Copyright Office provides is not the copyright itself, but a certificate of registration of your copyright. This is a formal document issued directly from the Copyright Office to you that certifies that you are the owner of a work and that they have a record of your ownership on file at the Library of Congress.

Why is it important to register your copyright?

Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney’s fees in successful litigation.

How long does it take for a copyright to be created?

For works made for hire and anonymous or pseudonymous works, copyright protection is 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. Works created before 1978 have a different timeframe. Learn more about copyright duration in our Duration of Copyrights Circular.