How to Register a Novel for Copyright Purposes
According to the U.S. Copyright Office, any authored work is legally protected by copyright from the moment it is created. This means that if you have written a novel, the U.S. government recognizes your rights regarding the work, and registration is not required. However, without registering your novel for copyright, any infringement of your copyright becomes very difficult to prove, but proper registration of your work virtually ensures its protection. Registration involves sending a copy of your work to the U.S. Copyright Office with the proper form and fee. This can be done either electronically or through the mail.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy of your novel (either hard copy or computer file)
- Computer
- Printer
- Internet access
Instructions
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Registering Your Novel Electronically (Highly Recommended)
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Save your manuscript in electronic format. The U.S. Copyright Office recognizes most text document formats (e.g., .doc, .pdf, .txt), but check with them for a list of acceptable file types.
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Go to www.copyright.gov, and click the link Electronic Copyright Office. This will lead you to the eCo Online System. Click the link to login to eCo, and click through the following disclaimer page. When you enter the portal, you will need to register for an account if you do not already have one. Log in to your account.
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Click on Register a New Claim. The system will take you through the process of filling out the form, paying the $35 fee and uploading your document (or alternative instructions for mailing).
Registering Your Novel by Mail Using Form CO
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Go to www.copyright.gov and click the link Electronic Copyright Office to enter the eCo System. Scroll down the page to the link that says Form CO and click it. This will lead you to a page where you can open an interactive PDF file to fill out Form CO online. (Form CO is a bar-coded form that is filled out online and printed from your computer, replacing the old Form TX for literary works and other older copyright forms.)
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Fill out Form CO online. Print the form when it is completed. You must send in the original printed form; the U.S. Copyright Office will not accept a photocopy.
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Mail the completed Form CO to the U.S. Copyright Office at the address provided by the Copyright Office, along with a hard copy of your novel and the $50 fee.
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Tips & Warnings
You can still use the old Form TX to register your novel; however, the fee for registration is currently $65 using this form, and you must call the U.S. Copyright Office to have them mail you the form. For your protection, when you mail your packet, purchase the extra delivery verification or return receipt from the post office to verify when your packet reaches the U.S. Copyright Office. It is strongly recommended to file electronically because it is cheaper and quicker.
Due to the backlog of submissions, it can take nine months to receive your registration certificate for electronic submissions, and up to 22 months for mailed submissions, according to the U.S. Copyright Office. However, your registration is legally effective from the date the U.S. Copyright Office receives the submission.
Many people have used the practice of the "poor man's copyright," sending a copy of one's work to oneself, using the postmark as proof of copyright. While this procedure does provide you with an official date, there is no guarantee that this will hold up as proof in a court of law, and should not be considered a substitute for registering your novel with the U.S. Copyright Office.
