Copyright Registration, Notice, and Enforcement FAQ

Questions:

• 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?

Answer:

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.