How to Copyright Your Artwork

How to Copyright Your Artwork
A work of art gains automatic copyright protection the moment it is created, and you do not need to file with the U.S. Copyright Office for your rights to take effect. However, officially registering your artwork with the U.S. Copyright Office gives you an important advantage—if you ever need to enforce your copyright, registration provides a clear public record of the date of protection, strengthening your claim. In addition, you cannot bring a lawsuit for infringement unless your copyright has been registered.

Method1 Registering Your Copyright

1. Prepare Your Computer to Use eCO

Before starting your registration, make sure your computer is configured correctly. Disable pop-up blockers, remove third-party toolbars, and set your browser’s security and privacy settings to medium. The Copyright Office has tested the system with Firefox on Windows 7, and other setups may not perform as well [2][3].

🔧 Preparation Notes

Disable your browser’s pop-up blocker
Disable any third-party toolbars
Set privacy/security settings to medium

👉 System Requirements for eCO

2. Familiarize Yourself with the eCO Process

Before applying, review the tutorial provided by the U.S. Copyright Office [4]. This guide explains how to navigate the eCO portal step by step. If you prefer alternatives, several independent sites also offer walkthroughs.

📘 Learn Before You Start

Official eCO Tutorial
Third-party guides for additional clarity

3. Complete the eCO Application

Log into the eCO portal and create your account [5]. Select “Register a New Claim” and follow the prompts. As you complete each section, a checkmark will appear on the left navigation bar. Once all steps are complete, review your information, then click “Add to Cart”. Your filing fee will appear before you proceed to checkout [6].

📝 Application Tips

Create an eCO account
Select “Register a New Claim”
Complete all sections until checked off

4. Pay the Filing Fee

You can pay electronically using either your bank account or a debit/credit card. Card payments are processed via Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury Department’s secure payment system [7][8].

💳 Payment Options

Bank account transfer (ACH)
Debit or credit card via Pay.gov

5. Deposit a Copy of Your Work

After payment, you must deposit a copy of your work [9]. For unpublished or electronically published works, you can upload a digital copy directly through eCO [10]. For physical works, generate a shipping slip within the portal, attach it to your parcel, and send it to the designated address [11].

📦 Deposit Guidelines

Upload digital works (if unpublished or e-only)
Ship physical copies with a printed slip
Contact the Copyright Office if unsure [12]

6. Review All Correspondence Promptly

The Copyright Office may contact you for additional documentation via email or phone. Always check your inbox and spam folder to avoid missing critical updates. Respond immediately if further information is required.

📩 Communication Tip

Monitor inbox & spam folder
Respond quickly to requests

7. Follow Up on Your Registration

To check your application status, log in to eCO and select the blue case number in the “Open Cases” table [7]. This will display your current registration progress.

🔍 Tracking Status

Log in to eCO
Open “Open Cases” table
Select your case number

Method2 Understanding Copyright Registration

1. Understand the Basic Steps to Register a Copyright

Registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office involves three core actions: (1) complete an application—either on paper or through the online eCO system; (2) pay the required filing fee; and (3) deposit a copy of your work [13]. Once these steps are finished, your copyright is officially registered.

📝 Registration Basics

Complete an application (paper or online)
Pay the filing fee
Deposit a copy of your work

2. Know Which Types of Work Can Be Registered Using eCO

If possible, use the eCO system since it offers the lowest fee, faster processing times, online tracking, and the option to upload eligible works directly [14]. Works that can be registered through eCO include:

Literary Works
Visual-Arts Works
Performing-Arts Works
Sound Recordings
Motion Picture/Audiovisual Works
Single-Serial Issues (e.g., one magazine or newspaper issue)

For definitions, see the Copyright Office’s guide to types of works.

🎨 Eligible Works for eCO

Books, articles, manuscripts
Paintings, drawings, photographs
Plays, scripts, choreography
Music & recordings
Films, videos, multimedia
Single serial issues

3. Determine if Your Work is Published or Unpublished

Your work’s publication status affects how you register and how you deposit copies. Through eCO, you can register: (1) a single work, (2) a collection of unpublished works by the same author, or (3) multiple published works released in the same unit, such as a photo book [16].

According to U.S. law, a work is considered published if you sell, rent, lease, lend, or otherwise distribute it to the public. It is also published if you offer copies for distribution, performance, or public display [17].

📚 Publication Rules

Published = distributed, sold, or offered publicly
Unpublished = not yet distributed to the public
Publication status determines deposit method (online vs. mailed copy)

4. Know Your Rights as a Copyright Owner

Once registered, you have the exclusive right to control how your work is used, subject to legal limitations [18]. These include the right to:

Reproduce your work
Create derivative works (adaptations, modifications, or transformations)
Distribute copies
Publicly perform or display the work

See Copyright Basics (Circular 1) for details.

⚖️ Core Copyright Rights

Reproduction
Derivative creation
Distribution
Performance and display

5. Learn About Additional Rights in Visual Arts

Creators of visual art enjoy special rights of attribution and integrity under U.S. law, in addition to general copyright protections [19]. These rights include:

The right to claim authorship and prevent false attribution
The right to object to distorted or mutilated versions of your work
Certain rights to prevent intentional destruction of your work

These protections are subject to fair use limitations. More information is available in the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA).

🎨 Special Visual Arts Rights

Authorship protection
Integrity of the work
Protection against intentional destruction

Method3 Protecting Your Work Online

1. Upload Low-Resolution Images

When posting art online, only share low-resolution versions of your work [19]. This ensures that while people can view and appreciate your creations, they cannot easily reproduce or print high-quality copies. By reducing clarity, you protect your originals from misuse while still building your audience.

🖼 Online Display Tip

Use 72 dpi images for web sharing
Avoid uploading full-size, print-quality files
Showcase detail with watermarked close-ups if needed

👉 See U.S. Copyright Office FAQ on Online Works

2. Watermark Your Images

Add a visible watermark using an image editor [20]. Place a translucent mark—such as your name, logo, or website—across the artwork so viewers know it belongs to you. This discourages unauthorized sharing or resale.

Additionally, consider naming files with your name (e.g., ArtistName_Title_2025.jpg) for extra attribution [21]. Advanced creators may also use digital rights management (DRM) or metadata embedding for stronger protections.

💧 Watermark Strategies

Transparent watermark overlay
Include name or website in filename
Add metadata (e.g., IPTC fields in Photoshop)

👉 Learn about Image Metadata & Watermarking

3. Add a Copyright Notice

Place a copyright notice directly on your work [22]. The format is simple: © [Your Name], [Year Created]. This serves as a visible claim of ownership and signals to others that your art is legally protected from the moment of creation.

⚖️ Copyright Notice Format

Symbol: ©
Name: Your full name or pseudonym
Year: The year of creation

👉 See U.S. Copyright Basics Circular

4. Pursue Removal of Unauthorized Copies

If someone posts your work without permission, you can issue a DMCA takedown notice [23]. This process, part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, requires online service providers (like YouTube, Instagram, or hosting platforms) to remove infringing content once notified.

The host is protected from liability if they comply, but if the uploader files a valid counter-notice, you may need to escalate the dispute through federal court.

📩 DMCA Enforcement Steps

Identify the infringing copy
File a takedown with the site’s copyright agent
Monitor for counter-notifications
Be ready to pursue legal action if necessary

👉 Submit takedowns via DMCA Designated Agent Directory.

5. Register Your Copyright and Sue Infringers

If informal measures fail, you may need to register your copyright and pursue legal action [24]. Registration (ideally within one month of discovering infringement) allows you to sue for statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctions in federal court.

⚖️ Legal Remedies

Statutory damages (up to $150,000 for willful infringement)
Attorney’s fees
Permanent injunction to stop further use