MightyRecruiterYou have finally done it. You or someone who works for you has created an outstanding work of art, and you are ready to show it to the general public. However, before you do anything, it is imperative that you seek out a copyright to protect your work. A copyright is an exclusive right that you, as the creator of this new work, are the sole party who is allowed to film, record, publish or print your work. You are also allowed to hire others to do any of the previously mentioned actions for your work. If you do not register for a copyright, then you risk having others steal your work. You could end up in a costly and lengthy legal battle to get your work back, so it is in everyone’s best interest to simply file for copyright right from the start.
Steps to Obtain a Copyright
The distribution of copyrights is overseen by the United States Copyright Office. While you should do more research on your own in order to be certain that you are doing the right things to copyright your specific work, here are some of the basic steps to follow in order to protect your artwork.
- Step one: Ensure it actually is a performing arts work. Make sure you fill out all the right forms and be 100 percent certain that your work is considered by law to be a “performing arts work.” That means it can be performed in front of an audience. This can include movies or additional audiovisual works. Choreographic works, dramatic works and musical works would also fall under this category. If you are trying to copyright music, then you may need to get two copyrights. One for the underlying work and one for the actual sound recording of the music.
- Step two: Prepare your package. There are a few things you will need to collect and put in your submitted application. First, you need to fill out several forms, which generally include Form VA, Form SR, Form SE, Form TX, Short Form PA and Form PA. You will also need to pay a fee that goes toward the Register of Copyrights. You will also need to include one or two copies of the work you wish to copyright. Two copies are needed if the work is already published, and one copy is needed if your work is, at present, unpublished.
- Step three: Mail your application. Once everything is together, you are ready to mail your package to the Library of Congress at the Copyright Office to be precise. As soon as the Copyright Office receives your application, then your registration effectively starts. Someone will review it to ensure everything is in order. It should take four to five months for you to receive your certificate of registration.
Follow these steps precisely so that your copyright does not get rejected for some minor error.
Should an Attorney Be Sought?
While it is definitely possible to prepare an application on your own, many artists, small business owners and entrepreneurs choose to get legal help. An attorney who has worked in the field of intellectual property will know exactly how to fill out your application. This is an excellent way to save time on your end. Additionally, an attorney will be better equipped to deal with any opposition that may arise with your copyright request. To reiterate, hiring an attorney is not absolutely essential, but it should be something that is taken into consideration.
Whether you have the next great movie, play or choreography on your hands, you should seek out a copyright to ensure you get due credit for creating it. Follow the essential steps and seek out legal counsel if you desire so that you do not overlook a necessary component of the registration process.
Legal Disclaimer
The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.