How to Copyright a Pattern
The cloth diaper pattern fits the baby perfectly. The outfit you sewed for your daughter's doll is her favorite. Everyone asks where you bought your dress. If your designs are etched into a pattern on paper, congratulations; your work now rightfully belongs to you. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, the only essential to gaining a copyright lay simply in recording your work. However, to make it official and protect your work in the event of a legal challenge, register your recorded work with the U.S. Copyright Office. Doing so creates a public record of that copyright claim.
Things You'll Need
- Completed application form
- $50 Nonrefundable filing fee
- Nonreturnable deposit (copy of the pattern or patterns)
- Personal computer
- Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8
- Printer
- Black ink pen
Instructions
-
-
1
Log on to www.copyright.gov.
-
2
Click on "Forms" on the top menu bar. Navigate to the "Form CO" link and click on it. Click on the "Download Form CO" link to download the form.
-
-
3
Print out the form and fill it out in black ink only.
-
4
Fill out a check or money order for $50 payable to Register of Copyrights.
-
5
Mail the check or money order, a copy of your pattern and the registration form to:
Library of Congress
U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20559-6211
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A sewing pattern is considered a visual art work.
The filing fee applies to a basic claim, which includes a single work or multiple works by the same author. As such, it is possible to submit multiple patterns, but be sure to fill out a registration form for each pattern.
You must mail all forms, deposits (copies of patterns) and fees in a single package.
Do not mail originals of your pattern. They will not be returned to you.
Avoid using the same Form CO for another registration. The 2-D bar code included on each form is unique for each work you register.
