Copyright Registration, Notice, and Enforcement FAQ
How to get maximum protection from the federal copyright laws.
» Why should I register my work with the U.S. Copyright Office?
How do I register a copyright?
What role does a copyright notice play?
What is a valid copyright notice?
How are copyrights enforced?
What are defenses to a claim of copyright infringement?
Do countries outside the U.S. offer the same copyright protection?
Why should I register my work with the U.S. Copyright Office?
You must register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office before you are legally permitted to bring a lawsuit to enforce it.
You can register a copyright at any time, but registering it promptly may pay off in the long run. "Timely registration" -- that is, registration within three months of the work's publication date or before any copyright infringement actually begins -- makes it much easier to sue and recover money from an infringer. Specifically, timely registration creates a legal presumption that your copyright is valid, and allows you to recover up to $150,000 (and possibly lawyer fees) without having to prove any actual monetary harm.
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