Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright

What is copyright?
What does copyright protect?
How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?
When is my work protected?
Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
I’ve heard about a "poor man's copyright." What is it?
Is my copyright good in other countries?

Who is an author?
What is a deposit?
What is publication?
What is a copyright notice? How do I put a copyright notice on my work?
What is copyright infringement?
What is peer-to-peer (P2P) networking?
Where is the public domain?
What is mandatory deposit?
What is a work made for hire?
What is a Library of Congress number?
What is an ISBN number?
What are some other commonly used terms?

What does copyright protect?
Can I copyright my website?
Can I copyright my domain name?
How do I protect my recipe?
Can I copyright the name of my band?
How do I copyright a name, title, slogan or logo?
How do I protect my idea?
Does my work have to be published to be protected?
Can I register a diary I found in my grandmother's attic?
How do I protect my sighting of Elvis?
Does copyright protect architecture?
Can I get a star named after me and claim copyright to it?

Can foreigners register their works in the United States?
Can a minor claim copyright?
Can I register a diary I found in my grandmother's attic?

How do I register my copyright?
Where can I get application forms?
Can I file online?
What is the registration fee?
Do you take credit cards?
Do I have to send in my work? Do I get it back?
Will my deposit be damaged by security measures in place on Capitol Hill?
May I register more than one work on the same application? Where do I list the titles?
Do I have to use my real name on the form? Can I use a stage name or a pen name?
Will my personal information be available to the public?
How long does the registration process take?
Can I submit my manuscript on a computer disk?
Can I submit a CD-ROM of my work?
Does my work have to be published to be protected?
How much do I have to change in my own work to make a new claim of copyright?
Do you have special mailing requirements?

Can I see my copyright registration records?
Will my registration records help provide contact information for someone interested in using my work?
Can I remove information that I don't want publicized?
How can I prevent personal information from being placed on the Copyright Office's website?
Why is my copyright registration information now appearing on search engines such as Google?

What is preregistration? What works can be preregistered?
What classes of works are eligible for preregistration?
Is preregistration a substitute for registration?
Will I need to make a regular registration after my work is completed?
When should I register my work if I have already preregistered it?
How do I preregister?
What is the effective date of my preregistration?
How do I complete a preregistration application?
You ask for a description in the preregistration application. What should it include?
Will I receive a certificate for my preregistration?
What is the fee for preregistration?
What methods of payment are accepted for preregistration?
What does ACH (payment) mean?
Do I receive a password from the Copyright Office to log into the eCO website to preregister my work? Or do I create my own password?
What are the password requirements that I should follow when I create my password?
How do I change my password?
What do I do if I forgot my password?

Which form should I use?
How do I copyright my business name? Which form do I use?
Which form do I use to register a computer software application I am creating?
...is there a form to submit to change the address on my applications?

How can I know when my submission for registration is received by the Copyright Office?
How long does the registration process take, and when will I receive my certificate?
I've been getting solicitation letters from publishers. Is the Copyright Office selling my personal...