to create a piece of work – whether it is a poem, a computer program, or film – requires significant time and effort on the part of the author. Once the work is created and it is protected by law US copyright, to ensure that the author possesses job unless he signed over all the copyright of another person.

Although copyright is established from the moment the work is created, copyright does not fully protect you against theft and violation of your work. To ensure that you have maximum protection, you must register the work with the US Copyright Office.

Before you can register your work, however, you must ensure that it is copyrightable law. The works can be copyrighted literature; music; dramatic; pictorial, graphic, and sculptural; architectural, choreographic and audiovisual as well as sound recordings, films and pantomimes.

When you register copyrights with the US Copyright Office, the copyrighted work will be a matter of public record, and registration gives you the ability to bring legal action against anyone who steals or infringes on your copyright. Registering a copyright can also make you the option of statutory damages and attorneys’ fees should you need to file a lawsuit against the offending party

registering copyright is actually quite simple and requires only three steps :.

Step One: Fill out the application form

Go to the US Copyright Office and download copyright application. You can find them on the web by searching for “Copyright Office.” You can also fill out a form online. Be sure to fill out the application completely and accurately. Failing to complete an application form will result in the application being returned

Step two :. Pay the application fee

set the appropriate non-refundable application fee. Currently, the fee for filing copyright applications online is $ 35 if you submit your article copyright application, you will be required to sign $ 45 application fee

Step Three :. Prepare nonreturnable deposit

Prepare copies, which is referred to as nonreturnable deposit of US Copyright Office, the work you want to register. You must follow the following general conditions to send a copy of your work:

o For those works that were created before January 1, 1978, you must submit two complete copies or phonorecords work as it was when it was first released in the US

o For those works that were created in the United States and 1 January 1978 the US Copyright Office requires two copies or phonorecords of the best edition.

o the works were not created in the United States, you must send a full copy or phonorecord of the work as it was originally published

Requirements -. Special Deposits

There are some special repatriate you should be aware. Some of the most common specific deposit are as follows:

o If you have created a work – literary, musical or dramatic – which has only been listed as phonorecord, you must send all phonorecord.

o If you are applying for copyrights for either out or unpublished computer program, you are required to send the first and last 25 pages of code for the program. If the program is less than 50 pages, you must send the whole program.

if you are unsure if your work requires special deposit, the US Copyright Office encourages you to write (address below) or call (202) 707-3000 and provide a description of your work Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 5:00 pm EST

All three things -. a complete application, the appropriate application fee and a copy of the work that you want to – should be sent in the same package. The only exception is if you choose to fill out the online application. If you are applying for a specific copyright, you should also submit all relevant material in the same package, ensure that you attach to the application fee for each respective application.

failed to submit necessary materials together will usually cause the material returned to you. When the package is complete, send it to the US Copyright Office of

Library of Congress

Copyright Office

101 Independence Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20559-6000