Protecting and defining your ownership of a logo design is something that all graphic designers need to be able to do. The best solution is to copyright the logo you have created for a business or other client. If you have never had to copyright a logo before, there are certain steps you must take to do this.
Fill And Submit An Application
The first step to copyright a logo is to fill in the copyright application form. This can be found online and downloaded. You can submit both an electronic and paper version of the form. The latest forms are found on the official site of the United States Copyright Office.
If you are going the electronic route, you will have to create an account with the Copyright Office. This can be done through the Electronic Copyright Office link. Once you have an account, you can complete the application form using the on-screen instructions.
If you want to complete the paper form, you need to go to the form section of the Copyright Office website. You will then have to download the form known as Form VA under the Visual Arts section. This is the only form you need because it covers the copyright for graphics such as logos. You can either print the form and fill it out or fill it on the computer and then print it.
When completing the form, you need to be accurate in all your information. You will be asked personal information and the name of the owner or author of the work. The form also requires information about the nature of the copyright documentation. It is important to note that when you file a copyright application, you are making a public record which means the information will be available online.
The form will also ask you for a method of payment. It is not free to copyright any work and the fee will vary depending on the method of application. Generally, the electronic application will be cheaper than the paper one.
You also need to provide your contact information on the form. The signature for the paper form has to be handwritten and not digital.
Paying The Fee
If you have chosen electronic filing, you will need to pay the registration fee at this point. The fee will generally be between $35 and $55, depending on the type of application. A single application for one piece of work will be cheaper than the standard application.
If you have chosen the paper application route, the fee will be taken once the application has been received. This is why you need to provide a method of payment on the form. Generally, the fee for a paper filing is $85 regardless of the number of works or the type of form.
There is some information that you need to know about the registration fee. The first is that this is non-refundable. The online payment of the fee is generally done via credit card. Payment via mail will need to be done using a money order or a check. You should double-check this before you submit your application.
Submit Your Logo
When you file your application, you need to submit copies of your logo. The number of copies will depend on how the logo has been used before your application. If the logo has been published on any platform, you will have to send two copies, but you only need to submit one if the logo has never been published. The US Copyright Office may ask for additional copies.
The copies sent to the Copyright Office will not be returned to you. When filing online, you can attach a digital copy of the logo to the application. You will need to submit a hard copy at a later stage as well.
Get The Confirmation Mail
Once you have submitted your form and proof that you have paid the registration fee, you will receive a confirmation mail. This document will show that your copyright registration is pending approval. It is important that you keep this document because copyright is considered from the date of application and not the date of approval.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a certificate of registration. This certificate is sent as either an email or a hard copy. The processing time for copyright applications is generally around six months. If you have filed electronically, it will generally be faster. You will also be able to check your application status using the Copyright Office portal.
Should You Copyright A Logo?
Knowing how to copyright a logo is important to protect your rights, but you need to consider if this is something you should be doing. You only have the right to copyright the logo if you are the original creator. Additionally, if you have been hired to create the logo for a client, you can only copyright the logo if they are ready to commission the work.
You should also take the time to look at other existing logos. If your design is similar to any existing logos, you will not be able to claim it. You have to do some research before a claim to ensure success. You can easily check existing logo designs using the database provided by the US Copyright Office.
If you are concerned about infringement, you may need to trademark your logo as well. Trademarks protect the logo from someone else trying to copy or steal it. Copyright only provides your ownership of the logo.
As a graphic designer, there will come a time when you need to copyright a logo you have created. Before you do this, you will have to check that there are no logos similar to your own or you will not be able to proceed. You will then have to file your application and pay the registration fee. It is generally easier and cheaper to file your copyright application electronically. You will also be able to check the progress of the application.