How To Register a Copyright

Many small businesses decide to register a copyright. This is a form of intellectual property for original works of authorship. A copyright exists the moment one creates work. The creator of original works is its author.

Let’s look at the types of original works of authorship copyrights protect and how to register a copyright.

Which Original Works of Authorship Do Copyrights Protect?

Literary works. This includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, articles, and periodicals.
Performing arts. Music, lyrics, sound recordings, scripts, and stage plays may all file for copyright protection.
Visual arts. You may register a copyright for artwork, illustrations, jewelry, fabric, and architecture.
Motion pictures. This includes movies, TV shows, video games, animation, and videos.
Photographs. You may copyright news photos, wedding photos, family photos, and selfies.

Additional digital content which may receive a copyright include computer programs, databases, websites, and blogs.

What Cannot Receive a Copyright?

Facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operations may not receive copyright protection. Other forms of IP, like business names and logos, are not eligible for a copyright. You may file for trademark protection for these assets.

How to Register a Copyright

Here’s what you need to know about copyright registration.

Conduct a Copyright Search

This first step in copyright registration is like registering a trademark. Conduct a search through the U.S. Copyright Office’s public catalog. You may search for copyrights registered from 1978 to the present. Search by using the title, name, keyword, registration number, document number, or command keyword.

Why should you conduct a copyright search? This search ensures you are not accidentally infringing upon any existing copyrights. If you find out that your copyright is unique, you may begin filing an application to register the copyright.

Consult a Copyright Attorney

Do you have questions surrounding copyright laws? For example, you may be curious as to what the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) is and how it protects the rights of online copyright owners. Or you may have questions about the “poor man’s copyright” practice.

The best advice is to consult a copyright attorney. Review these questions, and any other questions you may have, and get the answers prior to starting the registration process.

File a Copyright Application

Registering a copyright is a straightforward process. Complete the application form, pay the filing fee, and include a nonreturnable copy of the work you plan to register. The U.S. Copyright Office notes that copies of work submitted will not be returned to owners. Only one work may be registered per application.

Need some extra help? You may work alongside a third party service like MyCorporation. We can assist you in protecting your original works of authorship with assistance in filing your copyright application and handling all necessary paperwork.

Register a copyright today. Reach out to us at mycorporation.com to start the copyright registration process.

Deborah Sweeney

Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With extensive experience in the field of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah provides insightful commentary on the benefits of incorporation and trademark registration.

Education: Deborah received her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pepperdine University, and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in corporate and intellectual property law.

Experience: After becoming a partner at LA-based law firm, Michel & Robinson, she became an in-house attorney for MyCorporation, formerly a division in Intuit. She took the company private in 2009 and after 10 years of entrepreneurship sold the company to Deluxe Corporation. Deborah is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with some of the top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites including Forbes, Business Insider, SCORE, and Fox Business, among others.

Fun facts/Other pursuits: Originally from Southern California, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin and Christopher, and practicing Pilates. Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Deborah, and MyCorporation, have previously been honored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s List of the Valley’s Largest Women-Owned Businesses in 2012. MyCorporation received the Stevie Award for Best Women-Owned Business in 2011.