Copyright Registration

Turn your game's art, music, writing, and code into assets you can defend.

$350

Your $150 consultation fee is credited toward any services you decide to purchase.

Owning your work and being able to defend it are two different things

Copyright protection exists the second you create something.

What most developers do not realize is that you generally cannot sue over it, or collect the damages that make suing worthwhile, until the work is registered. Registration is the cheap, boring step that turns “that’s mine” into something a court will enforce.

Why it matters more in games

Games are bundles of copyrightable work: concept art, character designs, soundtracks, dialogue, and code. They are also among the most cloned products on the internet.

When a knock-off shows up on a storefront, a timely registration is the difference between a takedown that gets ignored and one that gets results. It also preserves your ability to recover statutory damages instead of having to prove exactly what the clone cost you.

How we handle it

We talk through what is worth registering and how to group it efficiently, then prepare and file with the US Copyright Office and walk you through the deposit requirements for games.

It is a flat fee, and one of the highest-leverage legal steps a developer can take early.

What's included

  • Consultation on what to register and how to group it
  • Preparation and filing of your application with the US Copyright Office
  • Guidance on deposit materials for games, art, and code
  • Plain-English explanation of what your registration covers

Who this is for

  • Developers shipping original art, music, or written content
  • Studios worried about clones or stolen assets
  • Anyone who wants the option to sue and recover real damages

Related reading

More on this from the Legal Moves blog.

Common questions

Do I not already own the copyright automatically?

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You own it the moment you create the work. Registration is different: it is what lets you file an infringement suit and, if you register in time, recover statutory damages and attorney fees instead of having to prove actual losses. That distinction is the whole reason registration is worth doing.

What parts of my game can I register?

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The expressive parts: art, music, writing, and code. Game mechanics and rules themselves are generally not copyrightable, which is one of the things we help you understand so you protect what you can and use trademarks or other tools for the rest.

How much does copyright registration cost?

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Our flat fee is $350 for the consultation and filing. The Copyright Office charges its own filing fee on top (currently $65, subject to change), which is modest compared to trademark fees.

Someone cloned my game. Does registration help?

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It is what gives your takedown and any lawsuit real teeth. A registered copyright lets you pursue statutory damages, which makes both DMCA takedowns and demand letters far more persuasive.

Ready to get started?

Schedule a consultation and we'll map out exactly what your copyright registration needs and what it costs, with no obligation.

Your $150 consultation fee is credited toward any services you decide to purchase.

Contact us to get started