{"id":4953,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/copyright-registration.html"},"modified":"2024-05-22T02:25:31","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T07:25:31","slug":"copyright-registration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/copyright-registration.html","title":{"rendered":"Copyright Registration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Copyright Registration<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

\n

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A copyright provides protection<\/a> to original works of authorship, more specifically the "form of material expression." Although there were previously various requirements to receive copyright protection, under the current U.S. copyright laws, a work receives copyright protection automatically when it’s fixed into a tangible form. Currently, copyright registration and notice of copyright<\/a> are not conditions to copyright protection, but the process offers a variety of advantages<\/a>. This article will discuss the advantages of copyright registration and the date that the registration is effective.<\/p>\n

Advantages of Copyright Registration<\/h2>\n

In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of a particular copyright. Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright laws of the United States<\/a> provide several advantages to encourage copyright owners to register their copyright. The following are just a few advantages of registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office<\/a>:<\/p>\n