Copyright Registration - Visual Arts

Copyright is a federal law, which protects authors of “original works of authorship fixed in a tangible form of expression.” This protection gives the authors the exclusive rights (including authorization of others) with regard to their original works.

Copyright registration is an official process to make a permanent public record of your copyright claim. As discussed below, copyright registration is not required to maintain your copyright ownership or rights; however, it does provide certain additional advantages. This form is for works of visual art. Visual arts are pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, including 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art. Examples of Visual Arts include: photography, prints, cartoons, drawings, paintings, diagrams, models, advertisements, maps, dolls, toys, games, jewlery design, original prints, posters, sculptures, and more.

Plays, dramas, and screenplays are not in the literary works category. They fall in the Performing Arts category.

To use this packet you must meet the following requirements: (i) the work to be registered is an original work of the visual arts; (ii) you are the author of the work; (iii) the work was not made for hire;

This packet contains: (i) Information about Copyright Protection; (ii) Instructions for the Registration; and (iii) the Registration Form for Visual Arts Works.