Why You Should Register Your Copyrights

Copyrighting your work can be done online

http://www.copyright.gov/

http://www.michiganitlaw.com/Why-You-Should-Register-Copyrights

Aug. 6, 2015

A copyright is automatically created upon the completion of an original work of authorship that is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. While an automatic copyright protects that work, a formal registration of copyrighted materials within three months of release to the general public provides extra benefits that can prove extremely valuable to the owner. These benefits serve to not only protect the copyrighted work, but also to provide additional remedies for the author in the event of infringement. Registering a copyright is as simple as submitting an application to the United States Copyright Office with a minimal filing fee and a copy of the copyrighted material. Then, once the work is registered, the benefits begin immediately.

The first benefit of a copyright is intangible—the work becomes a matter of public record, making it easy to find and verify as an existing, copyrighted work. This serves to protect the work while also making it easier for the creator to profit from the work. If someone wants to use the copyrighted material, they can easily track down, notify, and pay the creator.

•••••

If an author believes that a copyrighted work has been infringed, and the work was registered, then the author has already completed the first steps toward bringing a lawsuit for infringement. A copyright infringement lawsuit requires the copyright to be registered. By applying for registration prior to the infringement or within three months of publication, the author may be entitled to statutory damages and attorney’s fees. Registration of a copyright provides the groundwork for the legal claim of infringement by proving ownership of the work. Proving ownership can often be difficult and a valid registration is essential to a claim for copyright infringement. Moreover, the registration defeats the defendant’s defense of being an “innocent infringer,” or the “I didn't know I was infringing" defense.

•••••