Copyright Guide

Frequently Asked Questions | References and Resources | Instructions for Obtaining Copyright Ownership
Course Pack Guidelines for Faculty | Course Reserves Guidelines for Faculty

Obtaining Copyright Ownership

Instructions to Obtain Copyright Ownership

Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:

reproduce the copyrighted work
produce derivative works based on the copyrighted work
perform the copyrighted work publicly
display the copyrighted work publicly

Once a work exists in a fixed and tangible form, that work has copyright protection and the author of that work is the copyright holder. Examples of a work in "fixed and tangible form" broadly include:

literary works
musical works (sound recordings or sheet music)
dramatic works
pantomimes and choreographic works (that have been notated or recorded)
pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
motion pictures
sound recordings
architectural works

Since copyright is automatically secured upon the creation of the work, it is not required to register the copyrighted work with the U.S. Copyright Office. However, there are definitely advantages to publishing and registering the work. Simply stated, copyright registration is a legal formality which establishes a public record of the copyright claim. This public record is required if the copyright owner seeks royalties or would like to challenge the claim in court.

*It is a requirement to register any published work in the United States with the Copyright Office within 3 months of publication.

For further information, please visit the U.S. Copyright Office.

Instructions to Obtain Copyright Ownership

Ensure that your work is in a fixed and tangible form.
Include a copyright notice on the material such as - ©2006 John Doe
Include in a package:

the appropriate completed application form
a $30 payment to "Register of Copyrights."
non-returnable copy(ies) of the material to be registered. There are deposit requirements. Please visit the U.S. Copyright Office for complete details.

Mail the package to:

Library of Congress

101 Independence Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

Your registration becomes effective on the day that the Copyright Office receives your application, payment, and copy(ies) in acceptable form. If your submission is in order, you will receive a certificate of registration in 4 to 5 months. (You will not be notified that your application has been received.)