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 US copyright law.
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.
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.
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.
How to Copyright a Book
Novels, non-fiction, poetry, screenplays and blog series. Recommended timing for KDP self-publishing, agent submissions, and Wattpad serializations.
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.
How to Copyright Art
Digital paintings, illustrations, 3D models, concept art and NFTs. Covers AI-assisted works, derivative pieces, and the public-registry option.
How to Copyright a Video
Scripts, treatments, short films, YouTube originals and final edits. Sync rights, music clearance, and timing recommendations for festival submissions.
Copyright Law - The Basics
Berne Convention, "Poor Man's Copyright", how courts weigh evidence, and the difference between automatic ownership and provable ownership.
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 182 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 countersigned by an accredited timestamp authority 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?
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