Anyone used the US Online Copyright Registration portal?

Stodder · 04-19-2011, 06:10 AM

Hi everyone,

Has anyone registered their work online with the US Copyright Office's eCO system?

I'm interested in doing it, and would love to hear others experiences and ask questions if possible

For example, whether if you registered an unpublished work... would you have to register the published version later too, etc.

To clear the air, I am aware that copyright is afforded to a person the minute they create something original. However, I want to ensure that I have the option of filing an infringement claim--in case someone ever takes advantage of me--and from what I understand, infringement claims require copyright registration and not just copyright. Am I correct?

Hope there's peeps here who have done this

I'm really green in this area!

Stodder

Worldwalker · 04-19-2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stodder

Hope there's peeps here who have done this

You might find the peeps you're looking for here.

Stodder · 04-19-2011, 07:28 AM

Lol

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-27-2011, 01:26 PM

I've used the eCO system. It's relatively easy to use, saves a lot of time, and if your doc is a digital file, uploading beats stuffing pages into a think envelope and a few dollars' postage.

I've only used it for new and original works, myself. I've never gone back and republished them, say, as a print work... but unless the body of the work was changed, you don't have to re-register a new format.

Stodder · 04-29-2011, 06:15 AM

Hi Steven Lyle Jordan,

Thanks for replying!

Can I still register an unpublished work if there's a chance my work will be published before I even recieve the registration certificate? I'm close to releasing my ebook, but would rather get this out of the way right now. As opposed to waiting for the ebook (and perhaps the printed physical edition) to come out and then registering it as a published work.

I appreciate you writing about your experience.

Stodder

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-29-2011, 04:36 PM

When you register with eCO, the moment you are done (and have paid), essentially you're registered right then and there. The registration paperwork will come in the mail weeks later, but you can publish the book without waiting for that.

Native · 05-06-2011, 01:47 AM

I did it a couple of times recently, and was given to understand that if you copyright AFTER publishing, you have to go the more expensive and much slower snail-mail route. I'm not sure about that, but if you're going through the process anyway, I'd sure try to get it done before publishing.

Stodder · 05-06-2011, 11:42 PM

Thanks for the additional replies.

I did it a few days ago, but I think I bunged it up.

I forgot to enter "NO" for "Is this author's contributiona work made for hire?" and the system did not prompt me to fill it in. Now I'm worried I've made a mess of it. All my other entries i put "NO" for that question as I'm the sole claimant/author/owner.

Edit: I don't even know whether people are supposed to fill this question in or not. Am I supposed to fill it in?

Native · 05-07-2011, 01:07 PM

If they got your money you should be good to go. But don't sweat if the actual certificate takes a while. I just looked at mine still in its original envelope. Effective date of registration on the certificate: May 31 2010 - postage stamp on the envelope: Dec 29 2010.

Stodder · 05-07-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Native

If they got your money you should be good to go. But don't sweat if the actual certificate takes a while. I just looked at mine still in its original envelope. Effective date of registration on the certificate: May 31 2010 - postage stamp on the envelope: Dec 29 2010.

Yeah, maybe I should just chill

04-19-2011, 06:10 AM	#1
Stodder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 12 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: ipad, kindle	Anyone used the US Online Copyright Registration portal? Hi everyone, Has anyone registered their work online with the US Copyright Office's eCO system? I'm interested in doing it, and would love to hear others experiences and ask questions if possible For example, whether if you registered an unpublished work... would you have to register the published version later too, etc. To clear the air, I am aware that copyright is afforded to a person the minute they create something original. However, I want to ensure that I have the option of filing an infringement claim--in case someone ever takes advantage of me--and from what I understand, infringement claims require copyright registration and not just copyright. Am I correct? Hope there's peeps here who have done this I'm really green in this area! Stodder

05-06-2011, 11:42 PM	#8
Stodder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 12 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: ipad, kindle	Thanks for the additional replies. I did it a few days ago, but I think I bunged it up. I forgot to enter "NO" for "Is this author's contributiona work made for hire?" and the system did not prompt me to fill it in. Now I'm worried I've made a mess of it. All my other entries i put "NO" for that question as I'm the sole claimant/author/owner. Edit: I don't even know whether people are supposed to fill this question in or not. Am I supposed to fill it in? Last edited by Stodder; 05-07-2011 at 12:14 AM.

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04-19-2011, 07:28 AM	#3
Stodder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 12 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: ipad, kindle	Lol

04-27-2011, 01:26 PM	#4
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I've used the eCO system. It's relatively easy to use, saves a lot of time, and if your doc is a digital file, uploading beats stuffing pages into a think envelope and a few dollars' postage. I've only used it for new and original works, myself. I've never gone back and republished them, say, as a print work... but unless the body of the work was changed, you don't have to re-register a new format.

04-29-2011, 06:15 AM	#5
Stodder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 12 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: ipad, kindle	Hi Steven Lyle Jordan, Thanks for replying! Can I still register an unpublished work if there's a chance my work will be published before I even recieve the registration certificate? I'm close to releasing my ebook, but would rather get this out of the way right now. As opposed to waiting for the ebook (and perhaps the printed physical edition) to come out and then registering it as a published work. I appreciate you writing about your experience. Stodder

04-29-2011, 04:36 PM	#6
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	When you register with eCO, the moment you are done (and have paid), essentially you're registered right then and there. The registration paperwork will come in the mail weeks later, but you can publish the book without waiting for that.

05-06-2011, 01:47 AM	#7
Native Cozy Bumpkin Stories Posts: 66 Karma: 351904 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sprague River, Oregon Device: none	I did it a couple of times recently, and was given to understand that if you copyright AFTER publishing, you have to go the more expensive and much slower snail-mail route. I'm not sure about that, but if you're going through the process anyway, I'd sure try to get it done before publishing.

05-07-2011, 01:07 PM	#9
Native Cozy Bumpkin Stories Posts: 66 Karma: 351904 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sprague River, Oregon Device: none	If they got your money you should be good to go. But don't sweat if the actual certificate takes a while. I just looked at mine still in its original envelope. Effective date of registration on the certificate: May 31 2010 - postage stamp on the envelope: Dec 29 2010.

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