Pillar 03 · IP Navigator Shield™
Copyrights
Protect original creative work the moment it's fixed.
Who it's for
Writers, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, software developers, artists, and course creators.
Typical cost
$45–$125 per registration (single vs. group). DIY through copyright.gov.
Timeline
Life of the author + 70 years. Work-for-hire: 95 years from publication.
What it is
Copyright protects original works of authorship — books, songs, code, videos, photographs, courses. Protection is automatic on creation, but registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is what lets you sue and collect statutory damages.
Why register if it's already yours
Copyright exists the moment you create the work. Registration adds three critical rights you don't have otherwise.
- You can sue for infringement in federal court (you can't without registration)
- Statutory damages up to $150,000 per willful infringement
- Attorney's fees are recoverable — infringers pay your legal costs
- Public record of ownership deters copycats
What copyright does NOT protect
Copyright covers expression, not ideas. These are outside its scope:
- Ideas, methods, or systems (that's patents or trade secrets)
- Names, titles, short phrases, slogans (that's trademarks)
- Facts, data, or historical events
- Anything not fixed in a tangible medium (an unrecorded improv performance)
How to register in 15 minutes
The Copyright Office's eCO portal handles most filings online.
- Create an eCO account at copyright.gov
- Pick your work type (literary, visual arts, sound recording, etc.)
- Upload a deposit copy (the actual work)
- Pay $45–$125 and submit — certificate mails in 3–9 months
Official resources
Free government and public sources. No login required unless noted.