Applying For A Copyright

Obtaining a copyright protects your original work from piracy

Although a copyright is automatically created with a copyright notation, e.g., 'Copyright your name, date' on the original work, applying for a copyright registration makes your ownership airtight under the law.

To begin the copyright registration process, visit the U.S. Copyright web site. Carefully read through the various categories listed to determine to correct form to file and follow the filing instructions to the letter. Using the wrong form will result in a delay in your application. Even with a flawless application, your copyright registration will take several months from the date of application to actually obtaining your registration. Your work is nonetheless protected from the date you apply for a copyright so long as you mail the application and work via registered mail.

Copyrighted works are protected for your lifetime plus 70 years. Your heirs must renew the copyright to retain ownership of your work.

Be aware that you may obtain a copyright for as many as 30 individual works in a single application. Although the filing fee is nominal, considering the advantages gained by applying for a copyright, you are well advised to copyright additional works, such as a poem or short story previously unregistered along with your current main work, such as a book. However, applying for a copyright for multiple works requires that each individual work pertains to the same category. For example, a musician can register multiple original compositions in one registration, but cannot register a mix of songs and multimedia creations in a single application.

Many artists suffer infringement without legal recourse simply because they cannot afford the filing fee at the time of creation. There have been cases where Federal protection has been granted through an alternative process. Make a copy of your work and mail it via registered U.S. mail to yourself. When you receive the postmarked work, leave it sealed and retain in a safe location. If you do have to sue for infringement, the unopened registered mail may be acceptable as proof of your ownership. This is not failsafe, so consult a copyright attorney to determine the degree of protection this method affords you. In any case, as soon as you can scare up the filing fee, apply for a copyright! This protection is well worth the fee.

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