Copyright registration is fairly easy, and retaining an attorney is usually not required.  Before filing the registration, you must determine which application form is appropriate:

            Form TX is used for nondramatic literary works. 

            Form SE is used for serials, such as periodicals and newspapers.

            Form PA is used for works of the performing arts, such as musicals, pantomimes, and motion pictures. 

            Form VA is used for works of the visual arts, such as pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works. 

            Form SR is used for sound recordings.

After you have chosen the form, you should send the following three elements in the same envelope to the Register of Copyrights, Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20559.

            1.     A properly completed application form.  Black ink pen or typewriter should be used to fill in the form;

            2.     A nonrefundable filing fee of $20^* for each application [^*Please read the instructions for the form];

            3.     Nonreturnable deposit(s) of the work being registered.  The deposit requirements vary in particular

                    situations.  The general requirements are:

                    (a)     If the work is unpublished, one complete copy or phonorecord.
                    (b)     If the work was first published in the United States on or after January 1, 1978, two complete copies

                             or phonorecords of the best edition.

                    (c)     If the work was first published in the United States before January 1, 1978, two complete copies or

                             phonorecords of the work as first published.

                    (d)     If the work was first published outside the United States, one complete copy or phonorecord of the

                             work as first published.

 Please e-mail comments, questions, or suggestions to webmaster@lawchek.net, or call 1-800-529-5121.

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