How to Register a Copyright in Kansas?

Introduction

If you’ve created a unique piece of work, whether it’s a book, music, artwork, or software, you want to make sure it’s protected. Copyright law provides the creator of original work with exclusive rights to use and distribute that work. In the United States, copyrights are governed by federal law, but the process for registering a copyright can vary by state. In this guide, we’ll explain the steps to register a copyright in Kansas.

Why Register a Copyright in Kansas?

Although copyright protection is automatic under federal law, registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides several benefits, including:

• Legal Evidence of Ownership: By registering a copyright, you create a public record of your copyright claim, which can be used as evidence of ownership in court.
• Statutory Damages and Attorney’s Fees: If a registered copyright is infringed, the copyright owner may be entitled to statutory damages and attorney’s fees, which aren’t available for unregistered copyrights
• Right to Sue: Only registered copyright owners may sue for copyright infringement in federal court

Eligibility for Copyright Protection

Before you register a copyright, you need to make sure that your work is eligible for copyright protection. As mentioned earlier, copyright protection is available for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible form.

Complete the Copyright Application

The next step is to complete the copyright application, which is available online through the U.S. Copyright Office’s electronic copyright system, eCO. The application requires information about the work being registered, including the title, date of creation, and a description of the work. You’ll also need to provide contact information for the copyright owner.

Pay the Copyright Fee

After completing the copyright application, you must pay a fee to register the copyright. The current fee is $55 for an online application and $85 for a paper application.

Submit the Deposit

In addition to the copyright application and fee, you must also submit a deposit for the work being registered. The deposit must be a “representative” sample of the work and should include enough of the work to show the scope of the copyright.

Wait for a Decision

After submitting the copyright application, fee, and deposit, it can take several months for the U.S. Copyright Office to process the application and make a decision. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a certificate of registration.

Additional Considerations

• Timing: It’s important to register your copyright as soon as possible, as the length of time it takes to receive a certificate of registration can vary
• International Protection: Keep in mind that registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office only provides protection in the United States. If you want to protect your work in other countries, you may need to register the copyright in those countries as well
• Renewal: Copyright protection lasts for the life of the creator plus a specified number of years after their death. If you want to continue to protect your work after the initial copyright period expires, you may need to renew the copyright

Conclusion

By registering a copyright in Kansas, creators can protect their original works of authorship and enjoy the benefits of copyright protection under federal law. The process of registering a copyright involves completing an application, paying a fee, submitting a deposit of the work, and waiting for a decision from the U.S. Copyright Office. It’s important to register a copyright as soon as possible to establish a public record of ownership and to be eligible for statutory damages and attorney’s fees in case of infringement. While registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office only provides protection in the United States, creators can consider registering their copyrights in other countries to receive international protection. Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that copyright protection lasts for a limited period and may need to be renewed to continue protecting the work.