[interested_observer]

A good overview article on copyrighting and a step by step how to do it guide....

• Electronic Copyright Registration for Photographers

[jatrax]

Thanks for posting this.

[VisualDarkness]

Wow, that's a weird way of doing things in my eyes. You should automaticly be protected as long as you can prove that you are the author, which is pretty easy most of the time, and not need to upload pic to some kind of "copyright database" like that.

[jatrax]

Wow, that's a weird way of doing things in my eyes. You should automatically be protected as long as you can prove that you are the author, which is pretty easy most of the time, and not need to upload pic to some kind of "copyright database" like that.

The way I understand it is you are automatically protected for any 'art' work whether you register it or not. The difference is in the penalties that can be imposed. If not registered then the damages are limited to 'actual' damage, essentially the cost the image might have sold for, which might be a few dollars and thus not worth the time to chase. If registered you can sue for actual and punitive which is where the money is and when the lawyers get excited because their fees go on top of the settlement.

I am sure that is an overly simplified explanation and of course only applies in the United States. Copyright law in the US is currently so messed up no one really understands what the intent of the law is supposed to be.

[rawr]

That's an old 2009 article. I believe the procedure has recently changed somewhat.

Also the US Govt web system for doing the registration seems so cumbersome. They should have designed it better and make it simpler.

[jatrax]

US Govt

better and make it simpler.

Hmmm...