Registering a Copyright

Two Types of Applications
    Single Application

    • a streamlined application for registering one work by one author
    • Fee for on-line registration:  $35.00

    Standard Application

    • Can be used to register a variety of types of works including a work created by a single author, a work created jointly by two or more authors, a work made for hire, a derivative work, a compilation, a collective work, and a unit of publication

    • Fee for on-line registration:  $65.00

    As a General Rule:  the Small Business Legal Clinic will assist only with "Single Applications"

Preparing the Copyright Application:
  • The Clinic prepares the application and the client that files it .

  • CLICK HERE to start an application

  • Create a new user account and password for the Client

  • After logging on

    • For a "Standard Application - under the heading "Register a Work " (in the column on the left side of page) click the link for "Standard Application". Then simply follow the instructions for creating the application

    • For a Single Application, under the heading "Other Registration Options" (in the column on the left side of page) click the link for "Register One Work by One Author". Then simply follow the instructions for creating the application

  • email that user name and password to your supervisor so that he can review & approve the completed application.

  • After approval send an email to the client giving instructions for filing the on-line application.  Use THIS template for the email

    • the text in the template contains a LINK to a Clinic webpage that gives the client easy to understand step by step filing instructions for filing the application)


OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT COPYRIGHTS

Copyright Registration for Revised Documents

Copyright Upload File Size Limits

Deposit Requirements:
  • Mandatory Deposit

    • The owner of copyright in a work published in the United States must deposit the required number of complete copies within three months of the date of publication.

    • The mandatory deposit requirement applies only to works published in the United States. Accordingly, unpublished works are not subject to this requirement
      • .
    • After the Application has been completed and submitted, a diologe pops up on the screen to allow the user to upload a PDF copy of the work that has just been registered. the applicant must print out a shipping slip for delivery of the hard copy deposit and submit it to the Copyright Office by mail.  The shipping slip is unique to the applicant's deposit

    • If feasible, depending on the nature of the work being copyrighted, the mandatory deposit (in the form of a PDF file) can be submitted electronically on-line as part of the copyright application

  • Optional Deposit

    • Most works that are published electronically only online are considered "unpublished" and, thus, not subject to mandatory deposit - BUT - even if not madatory it is still prudent to upload unpublished work through the on-line eCo application

  • Group Registration for Unpublished Works

    • NOTE:  a work that is a webpage on the internet where nothing can be purchased is considered to be "unpublished"

    • The US Copyright Office has implemented a group registration option for unpublished works.  This option may be used to register up to ten unpublished works for a single fee.  CLICK HERE for a "FAQ" page with detailed information.  CLICK HERE for a tutorial video

      • PHOTOS:  in the FAQ there is a subsection describing the special procedure for registering up to 20 unpublished photographs in a single application

  • Copyrighting an Entire Website

    • Note, this subsection explains how to register an ENTIRE website as a single "work" (including all text and graphics on the site).  However, if the concern is only for the text on certain pages a more flexible option might be to SEPARATELY register in a single application the text on each of those pages using the "Group Registration" procedure described in the above subsection.

    • Read Circular #66 - Copyrighting Websites and Website Content (Circular #66)

    • Entire websites can be copyrighted

      • The applicant must be the "owner" of all the content on the website (both images and text).  Normally the creator is the "owner".   Another way to become the "owner" is for the creator to assign (that is transfer) his or her rights

      • Unless website is being used to directly sell goods or services through the website, the website is considered to be "unpublished".  Thus the entire site can be registered in a single application as a "collection" (as opposed to having to file a separate application for each page).

      • As long as the website meets the requirement of being "unpublished" there is no mandatory "deposit" requirement.  Even so, it is recommended that a PDF copy of the entire website be uploaded through the eCo on-line application (with the images that the applicant does not "own" being blacked out).

      • To protect the Clinic from potential liability it is prudent to require the client to sign a sworn affidavit under oath that stating the client (or the client's company) is the actual "owner" of all of the images and text shown in the "deposit" PDF file.

  • "How To's" on specific issues


    • The Copyright Small Claims Board
    • Resolve copyright disputes of low economic value with a less expensive alternative to federal court