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How to Register a U.S. Copyright

Written by: Melissa Kerry Dagodag

Reputation Level 6

Copyrights Intellectual Property

Posted over 2 years ago. 0 helpful votes, 0 comments

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Accessing www.copyright.gov & Starting the Registration

Go to www.copyright.gov. Click on “login” and then, click on “new user” once you get to the login page. Then, create a relatively complicated password. Read the rules for passwords. It is actually a bit complicated. Then, click on “start registration”. Select the type of work from the scroll down menu at the bottom.Then, click “next”. Then, click “new” to enter the title for the work. First, generally select “title of work being registered” from the scroll down menu and then, enter the title in the box below. Then, click “save”. Click “next” Scroll down to “yes” or “no” as applicable as to whether or not the work has been published. Then, enter the year of completion. Click on “next”. Click on “new” to add the author. Fill in all applicable blanks and select “work for hire” if you paid someone to create the work for you and have an agreement in writing that it is a work for hire. If so, you are the author. If it’s not a work for hire, then select “no”. Click on “save”.

Finishing the Registration

Select the appropriate box to indicate what type of work the author did. Click on “save”. Click on “next”. Click on “new” to enter claimants. Fill out the information. If it’s a work for hire or transfer of ownership, scroll down to the right statement . Click on “save”. Click on “Next” if there’s only 1 claimant. Fill out “Limitation of Claim” information only if the work is based on a pre-existing work. Click on “next”. Fill out the “Rights and Permissions Information” if you want to be contacted if someone wants to license the work. Click on “next”. Complete the “Correspondent” information. Click on “next”. Complete the “mail certificate” information . Click on “next”. Fill out the “Special Handling” if you want to expedite filing. If not, click on “next”. ”. Click on the “Certification” statement box to indicate you have the right to file. Enter your name and click “next”. Review your submission and click “add to cart” . The system will prompt you to completion.