How to Copyright Photographs on the Web

Register your photographs with the U.S. Copyright Office to protect your rights.

Photographs are automatically protected by copyright as they are developed or transferred from a digital camera to a computer. However, it is possible to register your photos with the U.S. Copyright Office. Registering your photos that appear on the Web ensures further protection should your ownership of the photos be challenged or infringed upon. This will create a public record proving the date of copyright.

Things You'll Need

• CO form
• Envelope
• Copy of photograph
• Check or money order

Instructions

1. Visit the U.S. Copyright Office website. Select Form CO to print and fill out. The form will ask you to provide information regarding the photo you are registering, the year it was made and the name of the photographer. You can also choose to fill out the form online and submit it electronically. In this case, you will need to scan or upload your photos as part of your online submission.

2. Sign and date the form. Fill an envelope with the application form, a copy of the photo being registered and a check or money order in the amount specified on the website.

3. Send the envelope to the following address: Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20559-6211.

References

• U.S. Copyright Office: Forms
• U.S. Copyright Office: FAQs About Copyright
• U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright Registration of Photographs