✦ What Is a Copyright — and Do I Really Need One?
A copyright is a set of exclusive legal rights granted to the creator of an original work. These rights include the ability to copy, distribute, adapt, and perform the work. It protects the expression of your ideas — not the ideas themselves.
In simple terms:
Copyright gives you the legal power to control how your book is used, shared, or reproduced.
Whether or not you register your copyright is entirely up to you — but it’s a wise step if you’re serious about your work and its protection.
From $45.00
✦ Should I Register the Copyright Myself or Use My Publisher?
That’s completely your choice. You can visit the official U.S. Copyright Office website to file your application on your own. If you’d prefer for Griot Publishing House to handle it for you, we are more than happy to assist.
However, please note:
We follow the official rules and process of the U.S. Copyright Office. This means:
We cannot control how long the registration process takes
We cannot control fee increases or delays by the Copyright Office
From $45
✦ Official Copyright Registration Fees (U.S. Copyright Office, 2025)
Single Author, Single Work — Electronic Filing: $45
U.S. Copyright OfficeStandard Application — Electronic Filing (includes group or shared claims): $65
U.S. Copyright OfficePaper Filing (Various Forms): $125
U.S. Copyright Office
✦ How Do I Register My Copyright?
To register, you (or Griot Publishing House) will need to submit:
A completed application
A nonrefundable filing fee
A nonreturnable copy of your work
Notice: Please be aware that when you register your claim to a copyright in a work with the U.S. Copyright Office, you are making a public record. All the information you provide on your copyright registration is available to the public and will be available on the Internet.
U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20559-6000
📞 (202) 707-3000
📌 If Griot Publishing submits your application, there is an additional $45 processing fee (paid to us, not the Copyright Office).
F.A.Q.
Common questions regarding Copyright Services
No. Form CO — the most common form — includes unique 2D barcodes generated as you fill it out. These cannot be copied or reused. The form must be downloaded and completed directly from the Copyright Office website.
Yes — you are required to send in a copy of your work.
No — your copy will not be returned.
If you register online, you can upload an electronic version. However, in some cases, the Library of Congress may require a physical ("best edition") copy of your work.
⚠️ All submitted materials become the property of the U.S. government.
Yes. All information provided in your copyright registration becomes part of the public record and will be accessible online.
Due to off-site mail screening and internal processing at the U.S. Copyright Office, it may take several months to receive your certificate. Mailed documents may be delayed by 3 to 5 days or more.
⏳ Your official registration date will be based on when all required items are received — not when the certificate is mailed.
No. A work does not have to be published to be protected by copyright.
Only substantial and creative changes qualify as a new copyright claim. Minor edits like spelling corrections or formatting changes do not count.
Examples of eligible changes:
Adding a new chapter
Including original illustrations
Creating a completely new edition