How do I Register a Copyright in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, copyright is automatically applied.

Copyright refers to the legal rights granted to the creator of original works. It confers rights regarding the copying, distribution, adaptation and use of the work in question. It does not confer legal protection to ideas, only to the material expression of those ideas. In the United Kingdom, copyright protects literary, musical, theatrical and artistic works, and it is automatically conferred to such works. There is no particular legal requirement that copyright is registered; however, it may be beneficial if disputes arise.

Instructions

1. Research copyright registration companies thoroughly. Because copyright is granted automatically, there is no government registry, so all UK copyright registration companies are private concerns.

2. Compare the terms of the copyright protection agreements offered. Different companies will usually offer different lengths of agreement for different prices. The price will also depend on the size and format of your application (as a general rule, postal applications are more expensive than online ones due to the manpower involved; they are, arguably, more secure, however).

3. Ensure the copyright registration company stores your work in a recognized, easily accessible form. Signing up with a copyright service is primarily useful for contesting disputes, and you will need quick, reliable access to your documents. Ideally, they should be stored materially and electronically and in several locations in case of damage.

4. Apply to the company you wish to use. This can usually be done via both post and Internet. Be aware that it can take several months for the registration process to be completed and for your work be protected.

5. Conduct regular checkups to ensure the service remains sound and responsive. Contact them with queries via post, phone and email to compare their response time. If they do not match your expectations, move your work ;however, always remember that they are private businesses, not government agencies.

Tips & Warnings

• You can take measures yourself to strengthen copyright claims. The most common is to send a copy of your work via a special delivery in the UK postal system. This method of postage ensures the envelope is stamped with a date. When you receive the envelope, leave it unopened. This does not demonstrate that you created the work but does show when you were in possession of it, which may be useful in settling copyright disputes.

• Be aware that while you own the copyright to works created in your own time, the terms of your contract may confer copyright to your employer over work completed as part of your employment.

References

• Intellectual Property Office: About Copyright
• Copyright Aid: Choosing a Copyright Registration Service