When you write the work and make a document or record it, you are likely to think – how can I protect my work? Probably you have heard that it is protected by copyright. That’s correct, but the protection is only limited. If you’re looking for the complete safety and benefits that copyright law can provide, registration is the best way.
What is Copyright Protected?
Copyrights protect original literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical work. This covers books, paintings, music, films, software, and even advertisement work. Copyright laws don’t protect concepts. The work must be in the form of a tangible object. Copyright protection is automatically applied without additional action when a piece of work is made into an actual condition.
You, as the author, may transfer or license all of these rights mentioned above. However, if someone tries to publish, distributes the work, copies it, or performs the work without your permission, they violate the copyright. Regardless of whether they have registered their work with the Copyright Office, there are legal implications for them.
Advantages of Copyright Registration
Although the registration of copyright is not necessary to protect your rights legally, you can take substantial benefits by filing. This includes:
- A Public Record. When copyright is granted, it is published within the U.S. Because it’s shared, it is simple to search and determine if it’s copyrighted.
- Ability to File an Infringement Lawsuit. If your copyright is not registered, you can’t file a copyright-infringement lawsuit.
- Validity of the Copyright. The registration certificate will provide factual evidence of the truth of your copyright in a copyright-infringement lawsuit.
- Statutory Damages. Without copyright registration, any financial compensation is limited to damages that could be small or hard to prove. If you can register your copyright, you are protected by statutory damages and attorney’s fees. The statutory damages range from $750-$30,000. In the case of willful infringement, the amount could be up to $150,000.
The procedure of registering a copyright is completed by filling out an application, paying a fee, and submitting copies of work to be written. You can indulge in paper form or an online application. Reduce costs and accelerate the process by making an online submission.
Why Registration is Essential for Businesses?
The process of registering a copyright isn’t only beneficial for formats and artists but it also helps answer your question of how to protect my work? Businesses can also benefit from registering the copyright for essential software, company websites, and marketing/advertising materials such as photographs, graphics, and written copy. If you also intend to grow your enterprise abroad, it is essential to be able to register your copyright. While there’s nothing as international copyright registration, however, as mentioned earlier, only copies that have been reported are eligible to claim statutory damages as well as court and attorney fees.
Although it’s not a requirement, copyright registration can provide an essential legal defense. It allows others to locate your copyright-protected material. It will assist you in avoiding costly and time-consuming litigation. It is crucial if you end up having to file an infringement lawsuit.
