Creating an original work is just the beginning, the moment after is done you start thinking “what if…?”

What if I can’t prove my authorship?
What if someone claims that is his/hers?
What if I try to license the work and they end-up taking my work and authorship?
What if my employer or employee wants my work? (this right here needs another post)

First errand you need to run is: registration at National Office of Copyright (Oficina Nacional de Derecho de Autor or ONDA). We all have heard that copyright protection is so special that your work is protected without the need of registration, but in this case registration could help prevent further headaches (no warranties of course). Public registration is often a good card to hold.

Let’s go step by step…

 Step 1: Legal deposit.- 

You need to present a sample of your work, there are different format requirements for each type (book, design, photo, song, software…)

Step 2: Application.- 

A written request to ONDA specifying the author and the work.

Step 3: Registration certificate.- 

If approved, ONDA will issue a registration certificate in around twenty five (25) working days.

Spanish version | versión en español