Copyright: Copyrighting Works You Created

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