In the United States, copyright protection is automatic for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression, including visual art. This means that you do not have to register your artwork with the U.S. Copyright Office to be protected by copyright law. However, there are some benefits to registering your artwork with the Copyright Office, such as:
Filing an official copyright registration gives you prima facie evidence of your copyright ownership. This means that if you ever need to sue someone for copyright infringement, you will have a strong case.
A copyright registration can help you to collect statutory damages and attorney's fees if you win your copyright infringement case.
A copyright registration can make it easier to enforce your copyright against infringers in other countries.
To register your artwork with the Copyright Office, you can file an online application or mail in a paper application. The filing fee for registering a single artwork is currently $55.
Here are the steps on how to register your artwork with the U.S. Copyright Office:
Go to the Copyright Office website and create an account.
Select "Register a Work" and then "Visual Arts."
Follow the instructions on the website to fill out the application form.
Pay the filing fee.
Submit your application and supporting materials.
The Copyright Office will review your application and issue a copyright registration certificate if your application is approved.
Even though you do not have to register your artwork with the Copyright Office to be protected by copyright law, it is a good idea to do so. By registering your artwork, you can strengthen your copyright protection and make it easier to enforce your rights against infringers.
Have a lovely week!
Tamara
Mentions:
Empowered Artists: https://www.empoweredartists.co
PS: Don’t forget to grab these helpful guides and sign up for these free workshops:
7 Great Art Spots to Get Featured In Easily https://www.empoweredartists.co/get-featured
3 Easy Steps to improve you Art practice revenue: https://www.empoweredartists.co/3-easy-steps
Learn how to price your art with this free on-demand 20 min masterclass: https://www.empoweredartists.co/pricing-commissioned-projects
Learn how to make your artworks shoppable in Google search with this free on-demand 8-min workshop https://www.empoweredartists.co/free-workshop-shoppable
Connect with Empowered Artists Community:
Website: www.empoweredartists.co
Facebook: Empowered Artists
Instagram: @empowered.artists
Youtube: @EmpoweredArtists
Pinterest: @EmpoweredArtists
Twitter: @EmpoweredArtists
Connect with Tamara Hergert:
Website: www.tamarahergert.com
Instagram: @tamara_hergert
Pinterest: @HergertTamara
Facebook: Art by Tamara Hergert
Twitter: @TamaraHergert
Youtube: @TamaraHergert
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.