Protect your work with
copyright registration

Q: How long does a copyright registration last?

Copyright is enforceable for the life of the owner plus 70 years.

Register a copyright to protect your creative work and control its use. We make it simple and straightforward—complete a simple questionnaire to kickstart your copyright in under 15 minutes.
Copyright registration $114 + filing fees.

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Fast, affordable copyright registration

$114

+ federal fees

Simple questionnaire to complete your copyright application

Review by our experienced team to verify that your application follows copyright guidelines

Electronic filing of your application with the U.S. Copyright Office

Confirmation when your application has been received by the U.S. Copyright Office

Why choose LegalZoom for your copyright registration?

We've filed for copyrights over 100,000 times.

Experienced team

By using our highly trained specialists, you’re more likely to avoid costly errors that cause your application to be denied.

Quality assurance 

Your application is checked twice: once to make sure your info is complete and once to review our work for accuracy.

Quick turnaround time

Once you place your order, we review your application and if there are no issues your copyright will be filed shortly afterward.

How do I register a copyright in the U.S.? 3 easy steps

Provide your information

Answer a few questions and give us a copy of your work  for submission.

We'll put it together

We’ll ensure your application is complete.

Leave the filing to us

We'll file your complete application with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Why should I register a copyright?

There are many benefits to registering a copyright. Your creative work—from books to songs to films and more—isn’t fully protected until you complete a copyright registration. Copyright registration can also help you file a copyright infringement lawsuit in court if someone tries to steal your work.

At LegalZoom, we make the process of applying for a copyright simple, straightforward—and fast.

Top 3 reasons to register a copyright

While not mandatory, U.S. copyright registration provides valuable legal protection. Until you register a copyright, you have only limited protection for your creative work. To receive the full range of protections and benefits that copyright law has to offer, registration is essential.

Control your work

Create confidently, knowing that your copyright registration puts others on notice that you control the rights to your work, including who can use it and for what purpose.

Prove your rights

Copyright registration offers official proof of your intellectual property rights with a formal certificate of registration.

Protect yourself

Gain the right to subject others to a copyright infringement lawsuit and collect statutory damages and attorney’s fees.

What does it mean to register your copyright?

The process of copyright registration involves filling out an application form, paying a fee, and submitting copies of the work to be registered to the U.S. Copyright Office. You can save time by working with an experienced filer like us—simply answer a few questions online to get started.

What does it mean to register your copyright?

A copyright protects original artistic, dramatic, musical, or literary work, including paintings, books, songs, movies, software, and even advertising copy. The work must be in a form others can read, see, or hear, but does not need to be published.

How is a copyright different from a trademark?

A copyright protects the creative expression of an idea. To receive copyright protection, that unique expression must be in a format that people can access, like a novel, song, or software program. A creative work must be original to receive copyright protection from the U.S. Copyright Office.

Trademarks also protect creative work, but the similarity stops there. A trademark protects the use of a company name, brand name, logo, or slogan that builds trust with customers.

A company may own both copyrights and trademarks. For example, a company may trademark a brand based on copyrighted material, such as a branded line of action figures based on characters in a story. Trademarks are granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone register a copyright?

Only the owner of the work can rightfully copyright it.

When will my copyright registration take effect?

Your copyright registration is effective as soon as the copyright office receives a complete and accurate copy of your registration materials, and approves your application.

What are the rights of a copyright owner?

The copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, sell copies, publicly perform or display, or create derivative works of the copyrighted work.

Is U.S. copyright registration required?

It is not required, but it's a good idea to protect your ownership of your work. Otherwise, someone may claim it as their own.

Is registering a copyright free?

No, if you register a copyright on your own with the U.S. Copyright Office, you will pay an application fee.

How long does a copyright registration last?

What is group registration of unpublished works?

The Copyright Office has created a new online group registration option for unpublished works known as group registration of unpublished works (GRUW) that may be used to register up to ten unpublished works, including unpublished photographs, with the same application.

Ready to register your copyright?

Questions?