U.S. Copyright Office begins online registration system todayJuly 1, 2008

Today the U.S. Copyright Office will officially begin accepting registrations for some works online. The works that may be registered online are "basic claims" for literary, visual arts, and performing arts works (including motion pictures, sound recordings and single serials). A "basic claim," which is eligible for online registration must be one of:

  1. a single work;
  2. multiple unpublished works by the same author(s) and owned by the same claimant; or
  3. multiple published works all first published together in the same publication on the same date and owned by the same claimant.

The benefits of filing online are:

  • reduced filing fee of $35 (compared to $45 for a basic claim);
  • faster processing time;
  • earlier effective date of registration (the effective date is the date the complete application is received by the Copyright Office, so online filing eliminates the delay of mailing);
  • online status tracking;
  • secure payment by credit or debit card, electronic check or Copyright Office deposit account; and
  • the ability to upload certain categories of deposits directly into eCO as electronic files.

The system has been in beta testing the last several months. Read the press release regarding the launch here.

Update (4:45): The system is now available at this link.

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