Why Register Your Work?
A Copyright is a form of federal protection in original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. It protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. A copyright application can be filed for both published and unpublished works.
Examples of copyright protectable work:
• source code of computer software
• artwork on clothing
• pictures on a coffee mug
• photographs
• textual work on websites, brochures, books, etc.
• sculptural works such as jewelry and statutes
The copyright registration process is voluntary, but timely registration is recommended because certain statutory damages and attorney's fees are available to a successful litigant who has registered his or her work within 3 month of publication or before an alleged infringement occurs. Furthermore, some authors wish to have their work publicly made of record in the event others wish to know the author of a work.
Copyright registration is mandatory if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.