How to copyright your artwork: Your artwork is automatically protected by copyright law as soon as it’s created. However, registering it with the U.S. Copyright Office provides a key advantage: it establishes an official date of creation, which is important if you need to defend your copyright. Without registration, you can’t file an infringement lawsuit. How to copyright your artwork through registration is easy and offers legal protection. So, to strengthen your rights, consider registering your work. How to copyright your artwork begins with this simple step, giving you the legal leverage you need if needed.
Method 1 Registering Your Copyright
1. Prepare Your Computer to Use eCO
Before using the U.S. Copyright Office’s electronic registration system, eCO, you need to ensure your computer is ready to avoid technical issues during the registration process. Follow these steps:
- Disable your browser’s pop-up blocker.
- Disable any third-party toolbars.
- Set your security and privacy settings to medium.
- The U.S. Copyright Office recommends using Firefox on Windows 7 for optimal performance. Other configurations may result in less-than-ideal performance.
For more details on optimizing your computer for eCO, visit the U.S. Copyright Office’s website.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the eCO Process
To get a better understanding of how to use the eCO system, check out the tutorial provided by the U.S. Copyright Office. This will guide you through the process of filing your copyright registration.
If you prefer, other websites also offer step-by-step instructions. You can find more resources and guides on how to register copyright through eCO.
3. Complete the eCO Application
Once you’re ready, visit the eCO portal and create an account. After signing in, click on “Register a New Claim” and follow the on-screen prompts to provide the necessary information.
- As you fill out the application, the sections on the left-hand side will be checked off.
- After completing the application and reviewing the information for accuracy, click “Add to Cart.” Review the registration fee and click “Checkout” to proceed with payment.
For more details on completing the application, check out this eCO application guide.
4. Pay the Fee
Once your application is ready, you’ll need to pay the filing fee. You can choose from several payment methods:
- Enter your bank account details for electronic payment.
- Alternatively, use a debit or credit card through Pay.gov, a platform run by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Visit Pay.gov for more payment options.
5. Deposit a Copy of Your Work
The final step is to submit a copy of your work to the U.S. Copyright Office. You can upload an electronic copy if your work is unpublished or only published online.
- If your work requires a physical copy, click “Create Shipping Slip” on the final screen, print it, and send your work to the address listed.
If you’re unsure about the deposit requirements, check with the U.S. Copyright Office.
6. Review All Correspondence
After submitting your application, stay on top of any communications from the Copyright Office. They may reach out to you by email or phone for additional information or documentation.
- Be sure to check your spam folder to avoid missing important updates.
7. Follow Up on Your Registration
To track the status of your application, log in to eCO and click on the case number linked to your claim in the “Open Cases” table.
For more about checking your application status, visit the U.S. Copyright Office eCO portal.
By following these steps, you can efficiently complete your copyright registration through the U.S. Copyright Office’s eCO system.
Method 2 Understanding Copyright Registration
1. Understand the Basic Steps to Register a Copyright
Registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office involves three basic steps:
- Complete an application: You can either do this on paper or by using the U.S. Copyright Office’s electronic registration system, eCO.
- Pay a fee: The registration process requires payment of a fee, which varies depending on the type of work.
- Deposit a copy of the work: You must provide a copy of the work you are registering.
Once you complete these steps, your copyright will be officially registered. For more details, refer to the U.S. Copyright Office.
2. Know Which Types of Work Can Be Registered Using eCO
If you’re considering using eCO to register your copyright, it’s important to know which types of works are eligible. eCO offers several advantages, including a lower filing fee, faster processing, and the ability to track your submission online. You can use eCO to register the following types of works:
- Literary Works
- Visual Arts Works
- Performing Arts Works
- Sound Recordings
- Motion Picture/Audiovisual Works
- Single-Serial Issues (e.g., a single magazine or newspaper issue)
For detailed explanations of these terms and additional types of creative works, check out the U.S. Copyright Office guide.
3. Determine If Your Work Is Published or Unpublished
Before you register, it’s essential to know whether your work is published or unpublished. eCO can be used for:
- A single work.
- A collection of unpublished works by the same author.
- Multiple published works in the same unit of publication (e.g., a book of pictures).
A work is considered published if it has been sold, rented, leased, lent, or made available for public distribution or performance. If your work is unpublished, you’ll need to provide a copy electronically through eCO. For more details on publication status, visit U.S. Copyright Office Publication Definition.
4. Know Your Rights
As the owner of a copyright, you hold exclusive rights over your work, subject to certain limitations. These rights include the ability to:
- Reproduce the work.
- Create derivative works based on the original (such as adaptations or translations).
- Distribute copies of the work.
- Publicly display or perform the work.
These rights allow you to control how your work is used by others. Learn more about your copyright rights on the U.S. Copyright Office’s website.
5. Learn About Additional Rights in Visual Arts
If your work falls under the category of visual arts, you have additional rights, including:
- Right of attribution: The right to claim authorship and prevent false attribution in other works.
- Right of integrity: The right to prevent distortion or mutilation of the work that could harm the author’s reputation.
- Limited rights to prevent destruction or mutilation: Authors can prevent intentional destruction or alteration of their work.
These rights apply throughout the author’s lifetime, subject to “fair use” limitations. For more information, refer to the U.S. Copyright Office’s guide on visual arts.
