danmar

I'm not sure that I'd go about it this way. Here's some reasons from the US Copyright Office.


Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works.

QKO

This is correct. In most cases though, registering a copyright is a waste of money, because you still have to defend (pay to defend) your copyright.

So, someone violates your copyright. Now you need to decide if you want to pay a lawyer thousands of dollars to defend a work that brings you (x) amount of income. If it's worth it, you can always register your copyright after the fact, then prove in court that it was published at the point it was indeed published.

Also, in intellectual property, there doesn't have to be much changed to constitute an "original work." This means that someone can copy your idea, make a few minor changes to it, and publish it under their own copyright, staying perfectly legal in the process.

In most cases, in our type of business, you're going to be defending your copyrights mainly through the use of "cease and desist" letters rather than through expensive lawsuits.

It's your choice as to whether you feel it's worth the fee to register your copyright. Just remember, if you want that level of "protection" you need to re-register (and pay another fee) every time your work changes substantially, like if you revise your pattern.

In practice, your level of protection is about the same whether or not you pay a fee to the government...

karielt

Wow thanks everyone!!!! Great info

minnow895

sorry you are all wrong there is a lot to a copyright you can write it on a piece of papaer that is what it is worth i learned the hard way.
i had a pattern i did as all of you said when i saw my pattern for sale in a store i tried to sue
end of story they wone i did not have a registered copy right if you truely want a copy right consult an attorney and get it registered with the fedral goverment.
you are then protected it will cost about 4 thousand when all is said and done you copy right will have to be specified how long it will last usally about 10 years.
good luck i wish i had gone through all the steps to my stuff

minnow895

i did a google search and found this web site it explains copy right and when it is protected.
copyright.gov
i am shure it will have all your answers it also has the fourms you will need to do a registered copy right
the other thing you will need to do or have someone help you search all patterns like your to make shure that there is not one like your already copyrote there was another pattern i was going to copy right i got a letter back that said my pattern was already done.
good luck it is well worth getting your copyright
god bless you and yours