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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When Should an Author Register Copyright?
We talk a lot on this blog about copyrights in contracts, but I thought I’d take a couple of weeks to cover copyrights in other contexts. This week, we’re looking at copyright registration issues – specifically, when an author should register his or her work with the U.S. copyright office. Is Formal Registration Required for Copyright Protection? Under U.S. law, copyright protection is available for all published or unpublished works. Registration with the U.S. copyright office is NOT REQUIRED to receive copyright protection (in the U.S.). Copyright attaches automatically at the time a qualifying work is created. However, registration is required for some
Read moreCopyright Formalities Part 2: Copyright Registration
Last week’s Wednesday post looked at copyright notices as placed on published works. Today, we’re continuing discussion of copyright formalities with a look at copyright registration,meaning registration of copyrighted works with the United States Copyright Office.* The U.S. Copyright Office allows authors and publishers to register copyrighted works. Registration can be completed online or by mail (though the Copyright Office prefers online registrations, and I suspect before long online registration may become mandatory). Registration creates a permanent record of the work and the copyright holder (the person who owns the copyright). In most cases, the copyright holder is the author
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