Must an author register his or her work with the U.S. Copyright Office in order for the work to be protected?
No – as of March 1, 1989, when the United States joined the Berne Convention, the copyright notice is NOT required to be affixed to a work. (Copyright owners continue to be advised to affix the copyright notice (the symbol ©, date, and name of legal owner) in order to take full advantage of the legal privileges available to registered works. The copyright notice makes it difficult for infringers to claim innocence, and also makes easier the job of contacting the copyright owner in order to request permission to use the work in a lawful manner. In most cases, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is required before filing suit for infringement.
Related Questions
- Does Copyrighted Songs provide protection that is good in court? Is it like the register at the US Copyright Office?
- Must an author register his or her work with the U.S. Copyright Office in order for the work to be protected?
- How do I register or obtain information related to copyright in which I am the author / creator?
