How to Register a Copyright for an Infrastructure Company

Introduction

Copyright law is a complex and ever-evolving area of law. Only an experienced attorney can advise you about whether or not you need to register a copyright for your company’s documents, and the best way to do so. This article will help you understand how to register a copyright in the US and give you some tips on how to find an attorney who can assist with this process.

What Is a Copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright protects original works that are expressed in words, numbers, or other verbal or numerical symbols.

Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed: for example, a book on how to play the piano may be copyrighted; but this doesn’t prevent others from writing their own books on how to play the piano.

This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.

When Do I Need to Register a Copyright?

Copyright registration is required to protect an original work. In fact, most works are protected automatically by default when they are created. However, you must register before you can sue for copyright infringement.

You can register your work online by filling out Form CO or by mail using Form VA. If the work was published on the internet and you want to claim statutory damages and attorney fees if someone infringes on it, then there’s no need for any kind of registration, just send a take down notice through DMCA takedown procedures provided by Google or Facebook (and other major social media platforms).

If you are not sure whether or not your work is protected by copyright, then check with an attorney. If you want to sue someone for infringing on your work, then it’s important to know how long you have before the statute of limitations expires. In order to file a lawsuit, it must be done within three years of when the infringement occurred.

How Do I Register a Copyright in The US?

You can register a copyright online at the US Copyright Office website. You will not have to mail anything in, just fill out the online form and pay with a credit card.

The first step in registering your copyright is to fill out the form. The US Copyright Office has a Form CO for this purpose. You can find it here: https://www.copyright.gov/forms/CO/index.html.

Download the form and fill it out as best you can. There are many questions that will not apply to you, but it’s still important to answer them all. The next step is to send in your form and payment by mail or fax. You can find information about how to do this here: https://www.copyright.gov/forms/CO/index.html.

The next step is to wait for acknowledgment of receipt of your submission. This can take several weeks, so don’t expect immediate results. You will receive a letter or email from them saying that they have received your form and payment.

Which Documents Are Needed to Register a Copyright?

To register a copyright, you will need to provide the following information:

• The name of the copyright owner.
• The date of creation (if it’s an original work). If you’re registering a published work, then this should be its first publication date.
• A brief description of your copyrighted work that includes its title, if applicable.
• The type of work (for example, book, song or film).
• Your name and address as well as those of any agents or representatives involved in submitting your application to us on your behalf.

Do I Need or Want an Attorney to Help Me with the Copyright Registration Process?

The good news is that the vast majority of companies can complete the process themselves. However, if you are in a large company and have a complex project, an attorney may be able to help you. The key question is whether your organization has enough resources to devote time and money to securing copyrights for every piece of work created by employees.

Takeaway

Copyright law allows creators of original works such as literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and other entertainment works to protect their work from being copied or reproduced without permission. To be eligible for copyright protection in the United States, a work must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression that is sufficiently permanent or stable to enable it to be perceived, reproduced and otherwise communicated for more than a transitory duration. Examples of this include books, songs or movies. A person who creates an original work owns the rights over their creation and can decide who may use it and what they may do with it (for example publish it on the internet).

Conclusion

A quick overview of copyright registration can be a useful tool for any business that creates content on a regular basis. The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important to take your time and make sure you have all of the necessary documents in order before filing with the US Copyright Office. If you’re looking for more information on how this process works, please contact us.