Things every client should know about copyrights

How much does it typically cost to obtain a copyright registration?

In most cases, the cost for the filing of a copyright application is driven by three factors:

(a) the hourly rate of the copyright practitioner you’ve hired;

(b) the number of hours it takes that practitioner to prepare and file the application; and

(c) associated governmental fees.

Thus, if you’ve hired a copyright attorney to prepare a copyright application for you, and (a) he charges $200.00 per hour; (b) the application requires two (2) hours to prepare and file it; and (c) the Copyright Office filing-related filing fees amount to $40.00, then your total bill will come to approximately ($200.00 x 2) + $40.00 = $440.00.

Be aware of the fact that the filing of a copyright application isn’t the end of the process. Rather, it’s the beginning. Communications from the U.S. Copyright may follow the filing of the application, and dealing with those communications would require the expenditure of additional time and, occasionally, additional governmental fees. As unpleasant as this may be, it’s just a simple fact of life in dealing with the Copyright Office.

Thus, don’t hesitate to ask your copyright attorney to explain some of the basics regarding how the copyrighting process works and how the Copyright Office’s fee schedules work as well. The fees and expenses that lie down the road are generally not as substantial as those you endure at the beginning in preparing and filing the application, but they aren’t trivial either, so talking about this with your copyright attorney will help you to understand (and feel good about) the process that lies ahead. In most cases, after the application is filed, it will remain pending at the U.S. Copyright Office for three to six months before it issues, so any post-filing costs that arise will be delayed somewhat.