Copyright registration

In the modern information world, we have to face such a concept as “intellectual property” more and more often. Copyright is a key component of intellectual property.

An author is a person who has created his own unique product. This is the primary subject of copyright. The author’s work has different forms of expression. We can talk about copyright from the moment the work is created. There is a distinction between the so-called presumption of authorship – the absence of evidence regarding other authorship of the work. The author must be indicated on the original or copy of the work.

Objects of copyright

Among the objects of copyright are:

• Literary works.
• Works of science, art, literature.
• Databases, computer programs, websites, web pages.
• Paintings, design images, drawings, musical compositions, songs.
• Music video clips, films, scripts.
• Photos.
• Architectural works, illustrations, drawings.
• Translations and other works.

Our law firm PRIKHODKO & PARTNERS provides a full range of registration, consulting and legal services for the registration of copyright objects and their protection in court. We will help you to obtain a Certificate of Copyright Registration for your intellectual property as quickly as possible, both in Ukraine and around the world!

Types of copyright     

According to modern legislation, property and non-property copyrights are distinguished.

Property copyrights

• Exclusive right to use the work, permission/prohibition of use of the work by other persons.
• The right to prohibit reproduction, processing, public performance of works.

On the basis of property rights, the author has the opportunity to receive remuneration for the use of his works.

According to modern Ukrainian legislation, the validity period of property rights is the life of the author + 70 years after his death (remuneration after the author’s death will be received by his heirs).

Non-proprietary copyrights

• Acknowledgment of authorship. Authorship is indicated on the work and its copies during its public use.
• Prohibition of public mention of the author’s name. This is practiced in cases where the author wishes to remain anonymous.
• Choosing a nickname. The pseudonym specified by the author will be used on the work itself and its copies during public use.
• Preservation of the integrity of the work. The author’s work is protected by law from distortion, distortion and other encroachments on the work that harm the reputation and honor of the author.

Non-property copyrights are protected indefinitely.

Features of copyright registration

Copyright registration will take several months on average. The registration itself takes about a month from the submission of the application, and another 30-45 days for the certificate to be issued. Not everyone considers the registration of copyright to be a mandatory stage, however, this procedure will significantly facilitate the resolution of possible disputes regarding the proof of authorship.

Copyright registration in our country is handled by the State Department of Intellectual Property. The author can register the rights and the work or the copyright for a service (working) work, i.e., made to order, related to professional activity.

Copyright can be registered both directly by the author, and by a legal successor or heir, both independently and through a proxy. If the copyright registration is handled by a proxy, a power of attorney will be required.

Documents required for copyright registration:

• Statement of prescribed form.
• A copy, a sample of a work.
• A document confirming the date and fact of publication (if available).
• A document on the payment of state tax.
• Power of attorney (if the application is submitted by a proxy).

If we are talking about computer programs or databases, you will need instructions on how to use the program and a description of the structure of the database. Important: computer programs are protected by the Act as literary works.

Works of urban planning, architecture, monumental and garden art additionally require an annotation with the name of the work, its location, parameters and architectural characteristics.

The Author’s Certificate, registered in Ukraine, is valid in all countries of the world that are participants of the Geneva and Berne international conventions. The fact of registered authorship does not require maintenance of validity and annual confirmation.

In order to minimize the risk of a refusal to issue a Copyright Certificate, as well as for more efficient registration, it is better to use the services of professionals who have the necessary knowledge in the field of procedural and formal norms of the copyright registration process.

The legal company PRIKHODKO & PARTNERS provides a full range of registration, consulting, and legal services for the registration of copyright objects: from preliminary consultation to services for the protection of copyright in court (in case of copyright infringement). We will help you to obtain a Certificate of Copyright Registration as quickly as possible.

Leave a request for consultation and calculation of the cost of copyright registration in the form below!