How do I apply for a copyright registration?

You can apply for a copyright registration by filing the necessary form, fee ($45 at the time of this publication) and deposit with the Copyright Office. While you can apply at any time during the term of your copyright, there are certain advantages to doing so sooner rather than later (principally that you can seek statutory damages and attorneys’ fees in any subsequent lawsuit for copyright infringement).

Once you file a registration application with the Copyright Office, the process is rather fast and straight forward. Unlike the patent and trademark application processes with the Patent and Trademark Office, the Copyright Office conducts only a very basic review of a copyright application to be sure that: (i) the work falls within copyrightable subject matter; and (ii) the copyright registration rules were followed.