How Much Does it Cost to Get a Copyright?

Copyright is essential to your intellectual property strategy as an entrepreneur, business owner, or independent creator. But before I get into the cost of getting a copyright, let’s explore what it is exactly.

Copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship in any tangible form. It also allows the vast majority of creators and artists to monetize their work by granting them the exclusive right to authorize specific uses.

This means you’ll be protected if someone uses your original work without due permission or compensation.

And it’s why your copyright office fees should be factored into your business plan as a creator, artist, or author.

How can I get a copyright?

An intriguing but little-known fact is that a copyright is secured automatically when a work is created as long it contains a sufficient degree of originality.

But registering your copyright claim with the US Copyright Office gives you an additional layer of legal copyright protection. For original works (in the US), registration with the US Copyright Office is necessary if you ever need to file a copyright infringement lawsuit.

There are two ways to register your copyright:

• Online or electronic registration on the US Copyright Office website.
• Print registration by sending the necessary documents and fees by mail.

How much does it cost to get a copyright?

Honestly, there’s no straightforward answer to this, as everyone’s copyright needs differ. The copyright office regularly updates its fees on its website. Identifying exactly what category you need to apply under will help you create a realistic budget for copyright fees.

The copyright filing pricing will vary depending on your requirements and preferences.

For example, decide if you’re registering online or by mail. The current fees are:

• for a single work of authorship filed electronically through online applications: $45
• for a single work of authorship filed via print registration: $125

But your copyright cost can increase if your case is more complicated than usual or has problems. Let’s look at a couple of different scenarios:

Maybe you’ve created a work in collaboration with others: like a song by a band. In such a case, you’ll register as a group, and it’ll only cost $65-85. But if someone contests your claim based on an existing or prior copyright, the case becomes more complex and expensive.

Or maybe your work is inspired or derived from someone else’s. Or you’re applying to restore a copyright that lapsed. In such situations, you should seek counsel from a copyright or IP attorney, as these cases are more complicated. The legal complexity will drive up your copyright cost accordingly.

And what if you’re on the other side? What if someone infringes on your work? 

You’ll have to file an infringement lawsuit, engage a law firm or an attorney and bear the legal fees. Again, your costs will be much higher than a straightforward copyright.

The good news is you can claim damages for these expenses if you have a registered copyright. 

Should I spend money on copyright protection?

The short answer is yes. A copyright is an integral part of your IP arsenal, along with trademarks and patents. The copyright registration process is usually less time-consuming than a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

And in the long run, it puts your right over your work on the public record. This also means that your copyright will appear in copyright searches for anyone doing their due legal research. This could save you from many potential accidental infringements.

Especially for small businesses, copyrights can go a long way in protecting their original works, including creative works and unpublished works.