Copyright Registration vs Copyrighted

Continued from above...

The only things not covered by copyright law are facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation. As long as your creation is tangible in some way (yes, music counts as tangible even though it's sound), it can be registered as intellectual property for a copyright. But what are the benefits?

Your work is technically "copyrighted” from the moment you create it. However, this is just an informal copyright and won't stand up in a court of law. If you want legal protection against your work getting stolen or protections against infringement or misuse of your work, you'll need to get a copyright registration. Registered works are eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees being covered if you need to take something to litigation. In short, copyrights give you legal protections and if you need to go after another person or entity for stealing your work, you'll need to be properly registered to make the lawsuit stick.

Further, copyrights protect your work from misuse or use by others without your permission (someone can't take your book and turn it into a movie without facing legal trouble) if your book is copyrighted. Your copyright will last for your entire lifetime and an additional 70 years past that, so the managers of your estate will handle permissions related to your work's use. You won't have to register more than once for a single work. That way you can focus on your next big creation once you've got your copyright taken care of.

If you're ready to register your work with the US Electronic Copyright Office (ECO) or Library of Congress, but you're not sure how to finish the process or fill out the paperwork, don't worry - there are tons of services out there to help. To help you get started, we've put together a list of factors to help you narrow down your options. Here's what we found:

• Cost. Copyright registration services can be pricey, as they go through the legal necessities for you. Make sure that you balance features with price so that you're getting a good deal. Services that include filing fees are extra helpful.
• Total package. Does your chosen copyright registration service complete the application submission for you? Do they give you a legal review to make sure the copyright is likely to succeed? Make sure you get all the bells and whistles you want with as little stress on your part as possible.
• Guarantees. Check your favorite copyright registration services for a satisfaction or success guarantee. Some services offer money-back guarantees if your registration doesn't go through. You'll want to pick a service that stands behind its work.
• Reputation. Check out the reputations of copyright registration services on third-party review sites or the Better Business Bureau. See how other creators just like you succeeded in copyrighting their works (or not in some cases) to know which services to choose or avoid.

To help you get your most recent work protected under copyright law, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top copyright registration services online today. This way, you can take the stress (and uncertainties) out of the legal process, and enjoy creating your music, novels, art, and architecture with the security that your work is protected. Happy copyrighting!