How to Add a Copyright to a Website

If you have created a website with original material, it is almost certainly entitled to copyright protection. Adding a copyright notice is only the first step. Fully protecting your website involves a number of steps, but it is something which you can do for yourself.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Form TX for Nondramatic Literary Works from the United States Copyright Office

1. Add a copyright notice to each page of your website. If the content on each page was produced in different years, the copyright date should be different for each year. If the content is constantly updated, begin with the earliest year of publication, and add each subsequent year up to the present.

2. Print out a screen shot of each page of your website. You will need to include copies of each page with Form TX which will be submitted to the copyright office (See Resources for a link). If you have technical issues with duplicating images on your web pages, try saving the pages as image files or PDF files to your hard drive, then printing them out.

3. Complete Form TX according to the instructions relevant to your website. Include an archive CD including each of the pages of your website, along with the printouts of each web page and the appropriate fee. Be sure to sign and date the form.

4. Create an archive backup of your web page screen shots and save a completed copy of Form TX for your records. Keep the archived files separate from your computer hard drive, and store your records in a safe place.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to copyright earlier versions of your website, it is necessary to submit an application for that website as it existed on the earlier date. You are entitled to copyright the compilation of the website and any original material you have created or added to the website. Include complete contact information, including a daytime telephone number, in case the copyright office needs to contact you about your application.
• If your website includes material produced prior to the period for which you are submitting form TX, it must be indicated on the form as "previously published material." Do not attempt to claim copyright ownership over any material which you did not create or which you did not purchase as a work made for hire. Do not "fudge" the dates for your web pages to claim earlier copyright dates. If discovered, the deception could void your copyright.

References

• More about how to copyright your website in six easy steps
• Copyright office response information

Resources

• U.S. Copyright Office: Form TX for Non-dramatic Literary Works
• Electronic registration with Copyright Office