Benefits of Copyright Registration

Because copyright protection exists from the moment a work is created in fixed form, registration with the Copyright Office is not required. However, registration is recommended for the following reasons:

• Registration provides public notice of an author's claim of copyright ownership.

• If registration occurs within five years of publication of a work, it is considered prima facie (literally, ''on its face'') evidence in a court of law of the validity of the copyright.

• Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in a successful infringement action.

• Registration is a prerequisite to bringing a copyright infringement action for works of U.S. origin.

• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U.S. Customs Service, which will prevent the importation of infringing works into the United States.