If you have created an original work of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works, it will generally be copyrightable. However, if you did the work for hire, your employer may own the copyright.

Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. However, there are advantages to registering a copyright with the Copyright Office, a process which can take about a year. For example, you will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.

Copyrights are generally easier to file for than a patent or trademark, but a professional can make sure the registration is done properly, which will be important if you end up in litigation.

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors.

Copyright protects works of art, while design patents protect an ornamental design of a useful item. A painting may be protected by copyright, but the grill of a car may be protected by a design patent, even if the grill had the same visual effect as the painting.

See the pricing chart below.