In the United States, copyright protection for creative works attaches to qualifying works (like novels) automatically at the time of the work’s creation. Formal registration is not required to create a copyright in an author’s work – however, registration does provide important benefits. For that reason, authors should ensure their creative works are properly copyrighted, preferably within three months after initial publication. The issue of copyright registration should be addressed in every publishing contract. Authors should know whether the contract obligates the publisher to register copyright, and if not, the author should arrange for registration of the work himself (or herself). When is a work
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