Whether you’re a prolific writer or someone who just starting out, protecting the ownership of your work and registering your work at the US Copyright Office can avoid you massive headaches down the road. Even though the law specifies that your work is protected from the moment you create it, if you ever need to take someone to court over a Copyright issue, registering your work can be that ace up your sleeve that saves you in case someone decides to plagiarize your work.
Many authors nowadays decide to register their work in order to have a public record of it and to own a certificate of registration that will quickly settle any disputes. Copyright registration can be done within minutes from Digi-Rights online portal. After completing the registration process online you will need to submit $35 dollars and you file your work electronically or through the mail.
Keep in mind that while filling out a registration form is a quick and easy process, it might take a bit of time –and patience– to get your certificate in the mail. Current processing times for registration claims submitted online can take up to 8 months, while paper form claims can take up to 13 months. You do have the option of requesting a rush delivery if you’re currently going through a legal battle or trying to meet a publishing deadline for an additional cost.
You can visit the help section and make sure to check out their FAQ’s for a list of the most frequently asked questions.
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