Copyright Registration + Licensing
Copyright registration helps you protect your original content from copycats and gives you options for licensing your IP to others (cha-ching!)
Copyright Registration
Your original and unique content is valuable intellectual property. Federal copyright registration is a crucial piece of legal protection for these business assets. In many instances, it makes sense to pursue both trademark registration and copyright protection for brand assets. For example, we encourage our clients to seek copyright registration of the following assets:
Your website & content
Brand photos and video
Social media content
Your brand logo
Registering your work as early as possible is key. The hands down best time to seek registration is when you create a new asset and before any infringement occurs. You will receive maximum protection for your work if you register it within 90 days of the date on which you first published it. A work is considered “published” as of the date copies of the work are first made available to the public. (If your work has not been distributed in any manner, it is “unpublished” and, yes, you can register your claim to a copyright in works that are unpublished.)
Typically, you get just one chance to register your copyrightable assets. And while DIY sites make it seem like copyright registration is easy-peasy, it requires legal strategy and knowledge of the copyright laws to ensure you get maximum protection. We can do it for you on an all-inclusive and flat-rate basis.
Copyright Licensing
A copyright license is a contract between the copyright owner and a third party who wishes to use the copyrighted work. The copyright owner and the person, business, etc. who wishes to use the copyrighted work set the terms for how much the license will cost, how the copyrighted work can be used, how often, and for how long (e.g., 1 year). The permitted uses can be narrow or broad and the time period of the license can be for any duration. A copyright licensing agreement can also be limited in geographic scope, meaning that the use can only occur in certain geographic areas. Like all contracts, copyright licensing agreements should be in writing, signed, and should clearly define the parties’ expectations.
We work with both copyright owners seeking to license their copyrighted assets to add revenue streams, and with individuals/businesses seeking to license copyrighted work.
Questions?
Like what you’re reading, but not sure what you need or where to start?
We offer a FREE 20-minute initial discovery call for you to see what we’re about, and for us to determine if we are a good fit for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a copyright?
Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works as soon as the author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression.
What type of intellectual property can be copyrighted?
Copyright protects novels, movies, songs, poetry, photographs, paintings, sculptural works, computer software, website content, logos, choreographic works, sound recordings, architecture, maps, technical drawings, and more.
Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation – although copyright may protect the way in which these things are expressed.
Is copyright registration required?
No. Registering your original work with the U.S. Copyright Office is voluntary. Your work is under common law copyright protection as soon as it is created and tangible.
Even so, registration is highly recommended for many reasons. Many entrepreneurs and creators register their works because they want to have their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation of infringement of your work. In addition, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence of infringement in a court of law. Additionally, registration opens up licensing opportunities and revenue streams.
Is copyright registration important for business assets?
Absolutely, yes. Frankly, it is just smart business to obtain copyright registration of your important business assets, including logo(s), photographs, videos, and content (e.g., social media posts, website, books, etc.).
Remember, the best time to register your business intellectual property for copyright protection is as soon as you create a new asset and BEFORE any infringement occurs. Proactive = key.
Can I register for copyright protection myself?
Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not. Generally speaking, you get only one chance to register your copyrightable assets. And, despite the marketing claims of “affordable” copyright options, the application process is more than a simple “fill in the blank.” It requires legal strategy and knowledge for maximum protections. Please don’t risk your one chance to secure copyright protection.
What are the benefits of copyright registration?
Increased damages when infringement occurs. Let’s face it, infringement will occur. Common law provides minimal copyright protection and damages. Federal copyright registration on the other hand allows statutory damages and attorney’s fees for successful authors who establish infringement.
Increases brand value. Intellectual property is one of your business’s most valuable assets. Federal copyright registration protects and increases the value of these important assets.
Unlocks legal & licensing options. Copyright registration unlocks legal options for pursuing infringers and sets you up to be able to pursue licensing your assets and create a revenue stream.
Everybody else is doing it. Your competitors are taking steps to protect their intellectual property assets. (This is the one time we encourage you to jump on the bandwagon.)
How long does it take to register my work?
The current processing time for new online copyright applications is 1-3 months for applications that do not require communications with the US Copyright office to resolve questions, and 1-8 months for registrations that do require communications.
