Copyright Tips and Tidbits: How and When to Register, How to Format Your Notice, and What Not to Do

Since I recently received notice that my copyright certificate of registration for my novel, The Protector, will be received within the next two weeks, I thought I’d reblog a post I read on another blog about copyright registration. The post is brief, but there’s good information here.

The POP Newsletter

Self-publishers, take note: While it’s true that you hold an inherent copyright to your work just for the fact that you wrote it, should anyone try to infringe on your copyright you will be best served by registering with the US Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov). That may sound intimidating, but it is actually a fairly straightforward process.

How to Register

Start by going to the US Copyright Office website. The Copyright Office accepts both online and paper applications, and the applications come with easy-to-understand instructions. The filing fee (as of 2015) is $35 for online registration and $85 for hard copy.

In addition to the application and the filing fee, you will be asked to provide a copy of the “deposit” — what the Copyright Office calls the work to be registered. If you file electronically you can send an electronic file or a hard copy of your…

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