What copyright protection do I receive under US Copyright law?
Copyright protection arises the moment an author fixes a work in tangible form without the author having to do anything. In other words, if your work is complete you have copyright protection.
Then why should you file? The basic copyright protection that comes with simply completing your work doesn’t cover everything. Although it provides you with rights, it doesn’t allow you to pursue damages against those that violate those rights.
Only by filing your work with the US Copyright Office do you establish a public record of your copyright, enabling you to seek damages if your copyright is violated. Without filing with the US Copyright Office, you can not be compensated for any violations of your work.
Copyright protection means that YOU decide who can use your work and for what purpose. Once you’ve established your copyright, no one else can use your work without your permission. Copyrighting your work gives you control over how your work is used and represented.
Obtaining copyright protection under US copyright law is a smart and necessary step for anyone serious about their work. Whether an author, developer, photographer, artist or musician, if you value your work you owe it to yourself to copyright that work.