How to Register a Copyright

Copyright registration is not a prerequisite to "copyrighting" a work; copyright protection begins automatically as soon as an original work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression.  However, registration allows you to request statutory damages and attorney's fees which can be considerable.

Registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is fairly straightforward and is now beta-testing an online system.  The Copyright Office has the forms and guidelines online and print registration is only $45.

I highly recommend reading the following two articles: Why You Should Go Through the Trouble of Registering Your Copyright When Everyone Tells You That Your Work is Protected Automatically. Her follow-up article is even more specifically useful: Copyright: Sample Forms and Strategies for Registering your Online Content. Well worth the read!