Copyright Registration
Copyright Your Book
Safeguard Your Creations
Ensure your creative work is protected with copyright registration. Maintain full control over its use and defend against unauthorized infringement. Get started today for only $114 plus filing fees ($65 for Government Filing).
While U.S. law automatically protects your work upon creation, formally registering your copyright is essential if you anticipate the possibility of needing to defend it in court. Registering your copyright within three months of publication entitles you to recover up to $150,000 in statutory damages per infringement, along with attorney fees.
By registering with the U.S. Copyright Office, you secure the following advantages:
Establish legal record of ownership
Enforce your copyright in the case of an infringement
Recover up to $150,000 in statutory damages (if registered within 3 months)
Protect your work for life plus 70 years
In addition to the online Copyright Registration service fee, the US Copyright Office charges a $65 filing fee per application.
Keep in mind that while filling out a registration form is a quick and easy process, it might take a bit of time –and patience– to get your certificate in the mail. Current processing times for registration claims submitted online can take up to 8 months, while paper form claims can take up to 13 months. You do have the option of requesting a rush delivery if you’re currently going through a legal battle or trying to meet a publishing deadline for an additional cost. There are other technicalities and special cases to be aware of, but overall the registration process will be pretty straightforward and you shouldn’t run into any difficulties.
IMPORTANT: In March 2019, the US Supreme Court ruled that copyrights must be registered to successfully file a complaint against someone.
Why Register a Copyright?
Protect your work
You can create confidently, knowing your work is protected against infringement.
Enhance your rights
Get official proof that you have the exclusive rights to your work, and the power to grant those rights to others.
Put an end to any infringement
Go on record as the copyright owner, and gain the ability to sue if someone uses your work without permission.
How to register your copyright
1.
Answer a few questions online and provide a copy of your work
2.
We’ll put together everything needed for your application
3.
We’ll file your complete application with the U.S. Copyright Office
Frequently Asked Questions
The owner of a copyright has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute copies (for sale or otherwise), publicly perform or display, or create derivative works of the copyrighted work. They also have the right to authorize others to do the same.
Generally, copyright protection lasts the entire lifetime of the creator, plus an additional 70 years. For work that was made for hire, anonymously, or using a pseudonym, copyright protection lasts for 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation (whichever comes first). If the work was first published before 1978, these timeframes can vary.
While your work is under copyright protection as soon as it’s created, there are many benefits to registering a copyright. You’ll establish a public record of the copyright, and get a certificate of registration. You also may be able to sue infringers for statutory damages and attorney’s fees—not just actual damages and profits, which can be harder to prove. And if you register before or within 5 years of publication, you’ll establish strong evidence in court that the copyright is valid.
Yes, we’ll need one complete copy of your work if it has not yet been published, and two copies if your work has been published. We’ll give you detailed instructions once you complete your order.
Yes, the U.S. Copyright Office will mail you a certificate of registration, typically within 8-12 months.