How to Copyright a Movie

If you’ve ever produced a short film or motion picture, you’ve probably found yourself wondering how to copyright a movie. It’s a process that any filmmaker should be aware of, and it’s really not that difficult.

In fact, registering for a copyright that will provide protection for your film is actually a very simple, easy to follow process. We’re showing you how.

Requirements for Copyright

Before you can learn how to copyright a movie, you’re going to have to ensure that your motion picture is eligible for copyright protection. This means that it must be original and that the artistic elements of the film must originate with you.

Additionally, the movie that you wish to copyright must represent a true motion picture in which there are a series of related images that, when viewed together, provide the impression of motion.

And finally, the movie must be contained within a fixed, physical object such as a film, digital media file, or videotape.

How to Copyright a Movie

Unlike books or other copyrighted works, motion pictures are copyrighted as soon as they are produced. The movie becomes copyrighted as soon as a fixed, tangible object has been produced such as the film, digital media file, or videotape.

Filmmakers are not required to notify the copyright office or to register the film with the U.S. Copyright office in order to receive copyright protection for a movie.

However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t register your movie with the U.S. Copyright Office. While registration is not necessary in order for a movie to be under copyright protection, registration does have some benefits.

Learning how to copyright a movie with the Copyright office requires the following steps:

• Complete a Copyright Application online.
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• Pay the filing fee online.
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• Submit a copy of your movie. 

Benefits to Registering a Copyright for a Movie

A copyright is not required for a movie to be protected. But there are benefits to registering your film with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Benefits include:

• Recording of copyright ownership.
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• Ability to sue for copyright infringement should someone steal your work.
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• The ability to recover statutory damages and attorney fees. If copyright registration is within three months of publication or before infringement occurs.
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• Ability to register with U.S. Customs Service to receive protection against imported infringed copies.

The Takeaway

Learning how to copyright a movie is a fast and simple process that literally requires three simple steps. All you have to do is produce your movie. Then apply for Copyright registration of a motion picture.

Finally, pay the filing fee and submit your finished film to the U.S. Copyright office. It’s really fast, really simple, and really important to protect your work from copyright infringement.