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This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook. Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 114,427 times.
Assuming you are a US citizen, log onto https://www.copyright.gov to register your copyright claim. Complete the application, pay the fee, and submit your work. After your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive your registration for your copyright. If you do not live in the United States, use independent witnessing companies to copyright your poetry.
Steps
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![Step 1 Go to https://www.copyright.gov/registration/....]()
Go to https://www.copyright.gov/registration/. This is where you can start the application process to copyright your poetry. -
![Step 2 Click on “Literary Works” to start the process for poetry.]()
Click on “Literary Works” to start the process for poetry. Here you will find information about what kind of literary works can be copyrighted. On the right side of the page, click the blue link reading "Register a Literary Work." This will bring you to the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO). [1]Advertisement -
![Step 3 Create a username and password for eCO.]()
Create a username and password for eCO. At the sign-in screen, click the link reading "If you are a new user, click here to register." Fill out your name, email, username, and password. Provide answers to security questions to use in case you forget your password.[2] -
![Step 4 Select "Next" after you submit all required information.]()
Select "Next" after you submit all required information. Fill in your address and contact information, and press "Next." Read over the Usage Agreement, and press "Next." Press "Finish" to complete your registration. Log into eCO with your new user ID.[3] -
![Step 5 Click on "Standard Application" under the "Register a Work" heading.]()
Click on "Standard Application" under the "Register a Work" heading. You can use the standard application to register most works, including an original work, compilation, collection, or variation. Click on "Start Registration" to begin the application. -
![Step 6 Complete the online application, eCO (electronic Copyright Office).]()
Complete the online application, eCO (electronic Copyright Office). This is the cheapest and fastest way to apply. Fill out all information, including type of work, author, and previous copyrights filed. Review your application, and press “submit” when finished.- If your poems are published all in the same volume and all written by you, register them as a volume under one copyright.[4]
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![Step 7 Complete payment on the website.]()
Complete payment on the website. After finishing the application, pay the $35 nonrefundable filing fee online. You will be prompted to visit www.pay.gov (website for payments operated by the U.S. Treasury Department) to complete payment. You can use a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.[5] -
![Step 8 Submit your work via electronic upload.]()
Submit your work via electronic upload. When your screen lists your payment as complete, press “continue.” Click the green button that reads “Select files to upload,” and you will be prompted to select a document. Select the correct file, and click the blue “start upload” button. Your upload is now complete![6]- You can submit files in the following formats: .doc (Microsoft Word Document), .docx (Microsoft Word Open XML Document), .htm, .html (HyperText Markup Language), .pdf (Portable Document Format), .rtf (Rich Text Document), .txt (Text File), .wps (Microsoft Works Word Processor Document), .fdr (Final Draft).
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![Step 9 Mail in copies of your work instead of submitting electronically, if desired.]()
Mail in copies of your work instead of submitting electronically, if desired. After you've submitted payment, click the "Submit your work" tab at the top of the page. Click "Send by Mail" link, and then click "Shipping Slip" under the "attachments" table. This will generate a shipping slip that you can attach to your work.[7]
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![Step 1 Print out the...]()
Print out the Basic Application by visiting https://www.copyright.gov/forms/. Click on "Literary Form TX" under the "Basic Registration" heading. This will open Form TX in PDF format. Print out the application from this page.[8] -
![Step 2 Follow the instructions outlined on the Form TX.]()
Follow the instructions outlined on the Form TX. The form will give you ample information and instructions. Follow along carefully to ensure you complete all necessary spaces.[9] -
![Step 3 Fill out all required information.]()
Fill out all required information. You will fill in things including the title, author, creation and publication, and any previous applications. Make sure fill in all necessary steps. Also be sure to include your signature.[10] -
![Step 4 Write out a check or money order for $50 to cover filing feels.]()
Write out a check or money order for $50 to cover filing feels. Your application requires a $50 nonrefundable filing fee, which you will send in along with your application. Make the check or money order payable to the Library of Congress Copyright Office. [11] -
![Step 5 Print out a copy of your work.]()
Print out a copy of your work. You will not get this copy back, so make sure you have the original copy. These will be your deposit materials. [12] -
![Step 6 Mail in the application, fee, and deposit materials to Library of Congress Copyright Office.]()
Mail in the application, fee, and deposit materials to Library of Congress Copyright Office. Bundle all three elements into one package, and mail it to the Library of Congress Copyright Office, located at 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20559-6000.[13]- Limit your package to 20 pounds.
- Oftentimes, the Library of Congress receives packages along with a return receipt. This is not required, but it is helpful to know that your package reached its destination. [14]
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How Do You Copyright Your Poetry?
Community Q&A
Search
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QuestionIs registering literary material the same as copyrighting it?
Community AnswerNo, they're not the same. Anyone can "claim" ownership (authorship) of poetry, a book, etc. by putting the c symbol at the bottom. Just because the poetry is yours as soon as you created the work doesn't mean that someone will not try to attempt to place claims on your work. Registering your work is PUBLIC PROOF that you are in fact the author, in case someone were to attempt to make claims on your writings. -
QuestionI want to register my poems but how?
Community AnswerYou automatically have copyright and moral rights in any original creation you have made. You can indicate that you are enforcing that copyright by placing the (C) copyright symbol next to each poem. The thing is monitoring misuse of the poems rather than seeking to claim it. Beware paying anyone who claims to copyright things for you. -
QuestionI have a book of 110 poems. Is this considered one literary work or is each individual poem considered one literary work?
Upnorth HereTop AnswererYou can register the copyright of the entire work or individual poems. If you are not the author of all of the poems, it can still be registered as one "collective work".
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Tips
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You can submit a collection of poems as one application, rather than individual poems. You will pay only one filing fee for registering an entire collection.Thanks
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Your registration will be assigned a number, and you will receive a certificate issuing your copyright after about 4 month of submitting your package.Thanks
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Your registration becomes effective on the day the Copyright Office receives your package. *The Copyright Office receives about 2,4000 submissions a day.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.copyright.gov/registration/literary-works/index.html
- ↑ https://eservice.eco.loc.gov/
- ↑ https://eco.copyright.gov/eService_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eco.copyright.gov
- ↑ https://penandthepad.com/publish-poetry-free-copyrighted-4795373.html
- ↑ https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ04.pdf
- ↑ https://www.copyright.gov/eco/eco-upload.pdf
- ↑ https://www.copyright.gov/eco/help/#eCO_3.1
- ↑ https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formtx.pdf
- ↑ https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formtx.pdf
About This Article
Professional Poet
This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook. Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. This article has been viewed 114,427 times.
Co-authors: 15
Updated: August 27, 2024
Views: 114,427
Categories: Copyright Law
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 114,427 times.
Reader Success Stories
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"This is an excellent summary of how to obtain a copyright for your creation. After watching videos and searching the internet to no avail, I found this gem of an article and had my own work's application begun in one day. Thanks so much!"..." more
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