How to Register a Copyright with the Copyright Office
A copyright will allow you protection under federal law from having your original work used without your permission. With a copyright in hand you will have sole ownership to your works, giving you protection from theft and illegal use of your work.
There are three ways to register a copyright.
Number 1 Online registration
If you want to register a basic work, online filing is the best way. Online filing is usually used for basic works. Basic works would be items such as a single work or multiple works by a single author. Online registration of your copyright will give lower filing fees, fastest processing time, and online tracking of your submission. Simply complete the online form, pay the attached fees, whether by credit or debit card, electronic check, or Copyright Office deposit account, then upload the work(s) to be registered.
Number 2 Registration by fill-in form
There is a new fill-in form provided by the copyright office that allows for a much faster paper submission than manually completed forms. This fill-in form actually contains a bar code, so the copyright office can scan the paper form in to their computer system. To register via fill-in form, you need to download the form online and complete on the computer. The form is then printed and sent via postal mail along with your registration fee (check or money order) and a copy of the work(s) to be registered.
Number 3 Paper applications
There are some works that must be filed via paper registration. Works submitted this way are generally literary works, visual arts works, performing arts works, sound recordings and serial works. This application form cannot be accessed online. These forms are sent to you via postal mail on request. Upon receiving the form, complete and return along with the attached fee payable by check or money order, as well as a copy of the work(s). This method is the most costly and time consuming form of registration.
Your copyright registration will be effective on the date the copyright office receives the application and the fees associated with it. Once it is registered a public record will be established on the claim. If some one uses your work without permission, you will then be able to file an infringement suit on the quality parties.
Please note that deposited work(s) are not usually returned
Visit the copyright website for current fees.