How to Copyright a Film

Making a film of any kind is difficult task in itself, but if you want to keep the rights to that intellectual property, you must copyright the film. All that hard work making the film could go unrewarded if there is no copyright, which records the person as the legal owner of not only the film but also the ideas contained within.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Make sure that the film is completely finished. You want to be sure the film is in its final state and you are finished with all of the editing processes before you attain a copyright for the film.
2. Obtain the money for the copyrighting fee listed on the Library of Congress website.
3. Download a copyright registration from the Library of Congress web site. There are three forms available on the site; for a film you should use standard PA form. See the resources section for more information.
4. Fill out the copyright registration. The registration is fairly straightforward.
5. Create a copy of the film to mail into copyright office. You never want to send in the original film to copyright because it could be lost or damaged en route.
6. Package the registration form, copyright fee and the copy of the film in a mailing envelope and send to the proper address stated on the Library of Congress website. Be sure to seal and pad the envelope securely.
7. Mail the package to the Library of Congress. The copyright enacts when they receive the package. Then in two to three months, you will receive notification of the copyright.