Copyright registration records a claim with the U.S. Copyright Office. It does not create copyright in material that is otherwise ineligible for protection. Filing accurately requires identifying the work, its authorship and ownership, and the appropriate application and deposit.
What should you prepare before filing?
Gather the work title, completion year, author information, claimant information, and any agreement transferring rights. Identify material created by others or previously published or registered. Keep records of when and how copies were first distributed, including the country of first publication.
Publication has a specific legal meaning. An online display is not automatically publication in every situation. If a website, social-media release, or downloadable file is involved, explain how the public could access and obtain the work rather than guessing at the answer.
Which application and deposit are appropriate?
The correct route depends on the type of work and eligibility requirements. Some works qualify for group registration; a collection of files does not automatically qualify as one application. The required deposit may be an electronic copy or physical material, depending on the work and applicable rules. Software and confidential material require particular care before submission.
Use the Copyright Office registration portal to identify available options. Discuss uncertain authorship, publication, and deposit questions before filing. A registration for one version does not automatically cover new authorship added later.
Why does registration timing matter?
For U.S. works, registration or refusal generally precedes an infringement lawsuit, with statutory exceptions. Eligibility for statutory damages and attorney fees depends in part on timing: registration before infringement begins, or within three months after first publication in qualifying circumstances, can be important under Section 412. Later registration does not automatically cure an earlier timing problem.
Actual damages and other remedies involve different requirements. Do not assume that registration guarantees recovery or that every registration makes statutory damages available. See our enforcement guide.
How much does registration cost and how long does it take?
Government fees depend on the application type and are separate from attorney fees. Processing times change and may increase when the Office needs additional information, or there is an immediate need to expedite registration (e.g., because of imminent or existing infringement).
Prepare for a registration discussion
Bring the work, publication history, contributor agreements, and any prior filings. For multiple photographs, articles, or software versions, provide a list showing creators and release dates. See ownership and licensing if a company or customer paid for the work but ownership is unclear.
Discuss your copyright question
Contact Lowry Blixseth APC in Agoura Hills or call 818.584.6460. Bring the work, relevant agreements, registration records, and any notice or deadline.