Copyright: Copyrighting Works You Created

This guide is intended to provide general information about copyright law and issues related to the use of copyrighted materials. Information provided here for educational purposes only and does not substitute for advice from legal counsel.

Your work is copyrighted from the instant it is put in a tangible form.

Why should you register your copyright?

Registering copyright on your work gives you certain privileges.

• Put the facts of a copyright in the public record
• Be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation
• If registration is finished within 5 years of publication, registration is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

How do I register my work?

Literary Works

• Fill in the form online and submit it
• Pay the required fee
  • As of 2021 electronic filing for a single author, same claimant, one work, not for hire is $45
  • As of 2021 electronic filing of other forms is $65
  • As of 2021 paper filing is $125
  • See the Copyright Office for more information on fees
• Submit a copy of the work
  • Your work will not be returned but will be kept in the Library of Congress
  • While you may attach an electronic copy of your work, the Library of Congress requires a hard-copy of the work
    • The hard-copy must be the "best edition" of your work
  • See Circular 7d for more information of what must be deposited