Copyright Registration

01/03/10

1.) Registration is not a condition of copyright protection. 

2.) Advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration:

• Registration establishes a public record of the copyright
  claim.

• Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration
  is necessary for works of U. S. origin.

• If made before or within five years of publication, registration
  will establish prima facie evidence in court of
  the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in
  the certificate.

• If registration is made within three months after publication
  of the work or prior to an infringement of the work,
  statutory damages and attorneys fees will be available to
  the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an
  award of actual damages and profits is available to the
  copyright owner.

• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record
  the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection
  against the importation of infringing copies.

• Registration may be made at any time within the life of
  the copyright. 

Contact our office to find out how we can help you.

01/03/10

The use of the copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require advance permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office.

How Long Copyright Protection Endures
01/03/10

-A work that was created (fixed in tangible form for the first
time) on or after January 1, 1978, is automatically protected
from the moment of its creation and is ordinarily given a
term enduring for the authors life plus an additional 70
years after the authors death. 

-A joint work "prepared by two or more authors who did not work for hire,
the term lasts for 70 years after the last surviving authors
death. 

-Works made for hire, and for anonymous and
pseudonymous works (unless the authors identity is revealed
in Copyright Office records), the duration of copyright will
be 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation,
whichever is shorter.