U.S. Copyright Office
Library of Congress
Home About News Publications Forms Law Licensing Registration Search Records

“To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times
to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries”
(U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8)

Welcome to the U.S. Copyright Office

Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights Welcome to the U.S. Copyright Office. We in the Copyright Office are proud to be part of a long tradition of promoting progress of the arts and protection for the works of authors. We are also excited about the reengineering of our operations. Our goal is to make major improvements in our public services and a key part of this initiative is providing the opportunity to register your works online via our website.

Our homepage has been created with the desire to serve the copyright community of creators and users, as well as the general public. Here you will find information about our online registration option and other news about reengineering; all our key publications including informational circulars; application forms for copyright registration; links to the copyright law and to the homepages of other copyright-related organizations; a link to our online copyright records cataloged since 1978; news of what the Office is doing, including business process reengineering plans, Congressional testimony, and press releases; our latest regulations; and much more. We hope you will find what you are looking for here and perhaps learn something new. Our goal is to provide the best public service and the best quality product. We welcome your comments.

Marybeth Peters
Register of Copyrights


U.S. Copyright Office, A Brief History and Overview
Hours of service and Location
Contact Information
Video about the U.S. Copyright Office
*Software must be installed on your computer to view this video. Click here to download a free version of RealOne Player.
     You may also read the text of the video.

Speeches and Testimony
Annual Report FY 2007
Organization Chart
Strategic Plan 2008-2013
Reengineering Program
Press Releases
Jobs & Fellowships
Contracts and Grants—See: Doing Business with the Library
Historical Documents