Ecopyright
Copyright Guides

Everything you need to
copyright your work.

Plain-language guides for the seven most common creative categories — written by people who built the platform, reviewed against Berne Convention and English/Turkish copyright law.

Browse by medium

7 guides, one for each work type

Pick the closest fit — each guide ends with the exact steps to register that work type on Ecopyright.

6 min read

How to Copyright a Logo

Brand identities, wordmarks, packaging and full brand kits. Step-by-step process, what to upload, and how to use the certificate in client contracts.

Brand identityTrademark vs copyrightClient workJoint authors
Read guide →
7 min read

How to Copyright Music

Songs, lyrics, beats, stems and master recordings. Covers what counts as a "fixed" work, sample disputes, and the difference between PRS/ASCAP and copyright proof.

Songs & lyricsBeats & stemsSample disputesLabel deals
Read guide →
8 min read

How to Copyright a Book

Novels, non-fiction, poetry, screenplays and blog series. Recommended timing for KDP self-publishing, agent submissions, and Wattpad serializations.

Manuscript stagesKDP & AmazonAgent submissionsISBN vs copyright
Read guide →
7 min read

How to Copyright Software

Source code, libraries, UI mockups, databases and product specs. Open-source licensing, employer disputes, and why software needs its own approach.

Source codeAlgorithmsOpen sourceEmployer disputes
Read guide →
6 min read

How to Copyright Art

Digital paintings, illustrations, 3D models, concept art and NFTs. Covers AI-assisted works, derivative pieces, and the public-registry option.

Digital art3D modelsNFT proofsAI-assisted work
Read guide →
7 min read

How to Copyright a Video

Scripts, treatments, short films, YouTube originals and final edits. Sync rights, music clearance, and timing recommendations for festival submissions.

Scripts & treatmentsFinal cutsYouTube originalsFestival submissions
Read guide →
9 min read

Copyright Law — The Basics

Berne Convention, "Poor Man's Copyright", how courts weigh evidence, and the difference between automatic ownership and provable ownership.

Berne ConventionCourt evidenceAutomatic copyrightPoor man's copyright
Read guide →
Quick answers

Frequently-asked copyright questions

Short answers to the most common questions before you dive into a full guide.

Do I need a separate copyright in every country? +

No. Under the Berne Convention, copyright is automatic in 179 signatory countries the moment your work is "fixed" in a tangible medium. Ecopyright's certificate proves the date you fixed it — valid evidence in every Berne country.

What's the difference between copyright and trademark? +

Copyright protects original creative works (a logo design, song, book). Trademark protects brand identifiers used in commerce (a logo as a brand symbol, a slogan). A single logo can be both — copyrighted as art, trademarked as a brand. Ecopyright handles the copyright side.

Why isn't mailing my work to myself ("Poor Man's Copyright") enough? +

Courts reject sealed envelopes as evidence — they can be steam-opened, the contents swapped, and resealed without a trace. A SHA-256 hash anchored to a public blockchain is mathematically tamper-evident; a sealed envelope is not.

When should I register — before publishing, or after? +

Before. The certificate proves the date you fixed the work. Register the moment a draft is "final enough" — before you share with a client, send to an agent, upload to KDP, or post publicly. Earlier timestamp = stronger evidence.

Read enough?
Lock your first work in 30 seconds.

$49/year membership — 5 certificate tokens included. Valid in 179 countries.

Register & Get 5 Tokens →