Does copyright protect names or titles?
Copyright protects only works reflection 100% original authorship for example: texts, any kind of art work, pictures and photographs, sounds recording, screenplay, music and lyrics etc.
However, for the protection of names, titles, slogans or short phrases you will have to consider trademarking.
How long does a copyright last?
A copyright lasts for 70 years, after the dismissal or death of the author.
How do I send in my work?
You need to first click on ‘Apply Now’ to proceed with the form and then submit it . After submission of your form, you will receive and email from Us Copyright Office. You have to reply to that email along with electronic attachment of your file(s). You can also send your work via mail and also request for a shipping slip. The shipping slip will be helpful in sending your work via mail to the Library of Congress.
The shipping slip projects the address to where you can send your work and also determine your case number that is represented on it. As soon as the Library of Congress receives your submitted work via mail, they coordinate it with your case number that is present on your shipping slip which is also present on the online system where we have registered your work.
What if I make changes to my work after it is registered?
You cannot do any editing on the work that is submitted and pending for the copyright registration, because your work gets secured once we register it on the online system. However, you have to make process a new registration to edit or bring any change in your work.
You may not require a resubmission of registration form to make minor or simple changes for example, spelling corrections or grammatical check. But an extensive and serious editing and changes for example: addition of headings, titles or subtitles etc. require a brand-new registration.
How long does it take to receive my certificate?
The online registration takes relevantly less time and you may receive your certificate within 6 months after your registration online
Can I register multiple works under one registration?
Yes, your more than one work can be registered under single registration but there are certain specifications. For example: a whole album, a series of novels or books or a collection of pictures or photographs can be considered under for under single registration.
Does my work have to be published to be registered for copyright?
No, it not mandatory that you publish your work to get copyright of it and vice versa you don’t need to wait for the certificate to publish it anyways.
Is my copyright protected in all countries?
(Please guide me for this answer)
It depends on the country. The US does not have copyright relations with all countries. The US protects it’s citizens’ copyrights. For further inquiry, please send an email for a complete list.
What is a service request number?
After the registration of your work, you receive and email with a service request number that will help you to keep track for your copyright certificate.
Can I copyright my recipe?
According to the copyright law, just a list of recipes will not be protected and attain copyright certificate. Therefor, copyright law will not protect listing of ingredients for example: ingredients found in formulae, compounds, recipe or prescriptions.
For copyright protection the document must be categorized as sufficient literary description, expression, illustration or explanation just in case of a cookbook, art and craft design book.