Identify the work and its authors
Start with a clear description of the work and everyone who contributed to it. Music, visual art, writing, film, and software can raise different questions. Distinguish the original work from material supplied by others.
Keep ownership documents together
Employment arrangements, commissioned work, assignments, and licenses may be relevant to ownership. Gather the agreements rather than relying on assumptions about who paid for the work or who possesses a copy.
Record creation and publication details
Keep available records of when the work was created and, if applicable, published. A first discussion can clarify which facts are important for an application and whether additional information is needed.
Flag any dispute or deadline
If the work is being used without permission or you have received a claim, identify that immediately. Preserve the relevant correspondence, links, and examples for review. Avoid sending confidential material before an engagement is confirmed.
Further reading: U.S. Copyright Office: what is copyright? ↗
General information only. The facts of your matter and applicable law determine the advice appropriate to you.
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