Copyright Registration Checklist

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION CHECKLIST

For Small Business Clients and Content Creators

Prepared By: _____________________________________________

Date: _____ day of _________________, 20_____

OVERVIEW

This checklist guides you through the copyright registration process with the U.S. Copyright Office. While copyright protection exists automatically upon creation of an original work fixed in a tangible medium (17 U.S.C. § 102), federal registration provides significant legal advantages.

SECTION 1: BENEFITS OF COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

1.1 Why Register? (17 U.S.C. § 412)

1.2 Registration Timing Requirements

SECTION 2: PRE-REGISTRATION CHECKLIST

2.1 Determine Work Category

☐ Literary Works - Books, articles, blog posts, software code, scripts
☐ Musical Works - Compositions, lyrics, musical arrangements
☐ Sound Recordings - Audio recordings (separate from underlying composition)
☐ Dramatic Works - Plays, screenplays, scripts
☐ Choreographic Works - Dance compositions
☐ Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works - Photos, illustrations, designs
☐ Motion Pictures and Audiovisual Works - Films, videos, video games
☐ Architectural Works - Building designs

2.2 Verify Copyrightability (17 U.S.C. § 102)

☐ Work is original (independently created with minimal creativity)
☐ Work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression
☐ Work is not in the public domain
☐ Work is not a U.S. government work (17 U.S.C. § 105)
☐ Work contains copyrightable expression (not just facts, ideas, or procedures)

2.3 Identify the Copyright Owner

☐ Individual Author - Natural person who created the work
☐ Joint Authors - Two or more authors with intent to merge contributions (17 U.S.C. § 101)
☐ Work Made for Hire - Employer or commissioning party owns (17 U.S.C. § 101)
☐ Assignee - Person/entity who received ownership via assignment

SECTION 3: WORK MADE FOR HIRE ANALYSIS (17 U.S.C. § 101)

3.1 Employee Works

☐ Creator was an employee (using agency law factors)
☐ Work was created within the scope of employment
☐ Result: Employer automatically owns copyright

3.2 Independent Contractor Works (All Must Apply)

☐ Work was specially ordered or commissioned
☐ Written agreement signed BEFORE work began stating "work made for hire"
☐ Work falls into one of nine statutory categories:

SECTION 4: COPYRIGHT DURATION (17 U.S.C. §§ 302-305)

4.1 Works Created On or After January 1, 1978

4.2 Duration Calculation Worksheet

Work Title: _____________________________________________

Date of Creation: _____________________________________________

Date of First Publication: _____________________________________________

Author(s) and Birth Year(s): _____________________________________________

Copyright Type:
☐ Individual author
☐ Joint authors
☐ Work made for hire
☐ Anonymous/Pseudonymous

Calculated Expiration Date: _____________________________________________

SECTION 5: REGISTRATION APPLICATION CHECKLIST

5.1 Select Application Type

5.2 Gather Required Information

☐ Title of Work: _____________________________________________
☐ Year of Completion: _____________________________________________
☐ Date of First Publication (if published): _____________________________________________
☐ Nation of First Publication: _____________________________________________

5.3 Author Information

☐ Author's Legal Name: _____________________________________________
☐ Year of Birth: _____________________________________________
☐ Citizenship/Domicile: _____________________________________________
☐ Nature of Authorship: _____________________________________________
☐ Work Made for Hire? ☐ Yes ☐ No

5.4 Claimant Information

☐ Claimant Name: _____________________________________________
☐ Claimant Address: _____________________________________________
☐ If different from author, how ownership was obtained:
☐ Written agreement
☐ Will or inheritance
☐ Work made for hire

5.5 Rights and Permissions Contact

☐ Name: _____________________________________________
☐ Address: _____________________________________________
☐ Phone: _____________________________________________
☐ Email: _____________________________________________

5.6 Deposit Requirements (17 U.S.C. § 408(b))

☐ Deposit copy/copies prepared
☐ Format meets Copyright Office requirements
☐ Identifying material prepared (if required for 3D works)

SECTION 6: SPECIAL REGISTRATION SITUATIONS

6.1 Group Registrations

Photographs (GRPPH):
☐ All photos by same photographer
☐ All published within same calendar year
☐ Up to 750 photographs per application

Serials (GRSE):
☐ Same serial title
☐ Two or more issues from same volume

Unpublished Works:
☐ Same author or authors
☐ Works assembled into single unit
☐ Appropriate collection title

6.2 Derivative Works

☐ Identify preexisting material used
☐ Describe new authorship being registered
☐ Ensure rights to use preexisting material

6.3 Compilations

☐ Describe selection, coordination, or arrangement authorship
☐ List preexisting materials included
☐ Note any material excluded from claim

SECTION 7: POST-REGISTRATION ACTIONS

7.1 After Registration Certificate Received

☐ Review certificate for accuracy
☐ Store certificate securely
☐ Note registration number: _____________________________________________
☐ Note effective date of registration: _____________________________________________

7.2 Optional Additional Steps

☐ Customs Recordation - File with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
☐ Update records - File supplementary registration if information changes
☐ Record transfers - Record assignments with Copyright Office (17 U.S.C. § 205)

7.3 Maintain Documentation

☐ Creation date evidence (dated drafts, metadata)
☐ Publication date evidence (sales records, distribution records)
☐ Chain of title documents (contracts, assignments)
☐ License agreements granted to others

SECTION 8: COPYRIGHT NOTICE (17 U.S.C. § 401)

8.1 Notice Format

While notice is no longer required for works published after March 1, 1989, it provides benefits including defeating an "innocent infringement" defense.

Standard format: © [Year of First Publication] [Copyright Owner Name]

Examples:

• © 2026 ABC Company, Inc.
• © 2026 John Smith
• Copyright 2026 XYZ Productions, LLC

8.2 Notice Placement Checklist

☐ Notice placed in conspicuous location
☐ Notice affixed to copies in manner and location that gives reasonable notice
☐ For websites: footer, terms of use, or both
☐ For photographs: watermark, caption, or metadata

SECTION 9: REGISTRATION TIMELINE

Expedited Processing (Special Handling):
☐ Available for pending or prospective litigation
☐ Additional fee: approximately $800
☐ Processing time: 5-10 business days

SECTION 10: COMMON REGISTRATION ERRORS TO AVOID

☐ Incorrectly identifying work as "work made for hire" without meeting requirements
☐ Failing to identify all authors of joint works
☐ Claiming copyright in public domain elements
☐ Incorrect publication date
☐ Incomplete deposit copies
☐ Wrong application type selected
☐ Missing or incorrect limitation of claim for derivative works

SECTION 11: REGISTRATION STATUS TRACKING

11.1 Application Details

11.2 Status Updates

SECTION 12: RESOURCES

12.1 U.S. Copyright Office Resources

12.2 Key Circulars

ATTESTATION

I have reviewed this checklist and gathered all necessary materials for copyright registration.

Prepared By: _____________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________________

Disclaimer: This checklist is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Copyright registration requirements and fees are subject to change. Consult with a qualified intellectual property attorney and verify current requirements with the U.S. Copyright Office before filing.