COPYRIGHT YOUR BOOK
Your manuscript is automatically copyright
protected under common law because you created it; it
just isn't copyright
registered. You should register your book with the
U.S. Copyright Office within three months of your book being
printed. You are the owner of the copyright of your book and are
responsible for registering the copyright, including payment of
the fee. If you choose not to register the copyright of your
published book with the U.S. Copyright Office, you may be
limited in the damages that could be awarded in court if there
is a copyright violation.
At the
www.copyright.gov website, you will find all the
information needed about registering your book.
How to Register Your
Literary Work
Step 1
Put into one envelope or package the following
three items:
1. A properly completed copyright application form:
- Use the
Short Form TX if (1) you are the only author and
copyright owner of this work, and (2) the work was
not made for hire, and (3) the work is completely new
(does not contain a substantial amount of material that has
been previously published or registered or is in the public
domain).
- Otherwise, use the
Standard Form TX.
2. A nonrefundable filing fee in the form of a check
or money order payable to "Register of Copyrights."
Do not send cash. Fees are subject to change, so check the
Current Fees page first.
3. Nonreturnable copy(ies) of the material to be
registered.
- Published Works: Two complete copies.
- Unpublished Works: One complete copy. There is no
specific requirement as to the printing, binding, format, or
paper size and quality of unpublished manuscript material.
Typewritten, photocopied, and legibly handwritten
manuscripts, preferably in ink, are all acceptable for
deposit. However, the Copyright Office would appreciate
receiving material in a format (e.g., stapled, bound,
clipped, etc.) that would facilitate handling and long-term
storage.
Please read this important notice about
mail delivery disruption.
Step 2
Send the package to:
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
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.
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