Welcome to the U.S. Copyright Office
Welcome to the U.S. Copyright Office
Celebrating our 150th anniversary
eCO Disruption Declaration
eCO Disruption Declaration
Those affected by the disruption between August 12, 2021, and August 29, 2021, may apply for an adjustment. More information here.
Modernization Webinar
Modernization Webinar:
Contact Center
The modernization webinar takes place on October 25 at 1pm eastern time.
Register here.
What is Copyright?
Learn about the basics of copyright with our new online reference page.
eCO Information
The electronic Copyright System (eCO) is back online, and applications and services are working normally. The Register of Copyrights updated a declaration of a disruption that indicates an outage existed from 5 p.m. August 12, 2021, until 6 a.m. eastern time on August 29, 2021. The Declaration Page includes instructions for affected applicants to request an adjustment of their effective date of registration.
On-site public services at the U.S. Copyright Office are open by appointment only. To submit claims, request certified copies of certificates or copyright deposits, or conduct other in-person business, please make an appointment here. Note: Due to renovations, the Copyright Public Records Reading Room remains temporarily closed.
Features
Search Copyright Records
Search our online records, learn about our searching and retrieval services, and view educational videos and materials.
Learn More
Register Your Works
Register your work or learn more about the registration process with the Copyright Office.
Learn More
Recordation
We accept certain types of documents for filing and indexing into our public records.
Learn More
Copyright Law
View current Copyright Law of the United States and related laws contained in Title 17 of the U.S.Code.
Learn More
Quick Links
- Coronavirus Updates
Operations updates during the COVID-19 pandemic
- U.S. Copyright Law
Title 17 of the U.S. Code
- Code of Federal Regulations
Title 37, Chapter II
- Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices
Third Edition
- Copyright Modernization
Modernization efforts across the entire Office
- Music Modernization Act
Background and implementation steps
- Copyright Small Claims
Learn about the Copyright Claims Board
- Events
Upcoming Copyright Office public events
News
- Outdated Applications to be Removed from the Electronic Registration System | October 15
- Copyright Office Initiates Study on Ancillary Copyright Protections for Publishers and Requests Public Comments | October 12
- Copyright Office Announces Modernization Webinar on the Public Information Office Contact Center | October 8
- New Crowdsourcing Campaign Focuses on Early Copyright Records | October 7
- Copyright Office and Rare Book and Special Collections Division Celebrate New Digital Content | October 4
- News archive
The Music Modernization Act
This featured video highlights The Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (Music Modernization Act) the most significant piece of copyright legislation in decades and updates our current laws to reflect modern consumer preferences and technological developments in the music marketplace.
