Postal copyright registration

Your questions answered

For copyright registration applications, this pages lists questions and answers to our most commonly asked questions about postal applications.

Formats and limits

  1. In what formats can work be registered?

    The main accepted formats are:
    CD/DVD,
    Blu-ray (BD) disc,
    USB Flash drive/USB SSD,
    Paper - incuding photographs, transparencies and prints.

    Please see the postal registration format information page for conditions and guidance on all media types accepted for registration.

    Compact disc, DVD or USB drive is normally the best format for postal applications as it provides generous storage for most works, it is the most convenient format for our administrators to work with, and it is a light and compact format, (and therefore cheaper to post).

  2. Is there a limit to how much work can be submitted in one registration?

    The standard charges include submissions of CD, DVD or BD discs, or USB Flash drive/USB SSD containing up to 10GB (10240MB) of data, or paper documents, photos or fabric samples up to 20 pages A4/Letter/Foolscap size

    1. Paper documents over 20 pages:
      A £5 GBP processing fee will apply for each 100 pages (or part thereof) over 20 pages.
      i.e. for 21-120 pages add £5, for 121-220 pages add £10, for 221-320 pages add £15, etc.

    2. Documents over A4/Letter size:
      A £5 GBP processing fee is added to cover the additional processing requirements of larger formats.

    3. Data over 10GB on CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc/USB SSD/USB drive:
      Where the total electronic data in a submission exceeds 10GB, a £10 GBP processing fee will apply for each 10GB (or part thereof) over 10GB.
      i.e. for 10-20GB add £10, for 20-30GB add £20, etc.

    4. The preferred formats for postal submissions are CD, DVD or USB stick.

  3. How do I register a web site?

    Please see our main factsheet on copyright registration for websites.

  4. I have a number of songs/poems etc., can I register them collectively?

    Yes. A collection of songs, poems, etc can be processed under a single registration, for a single fee, provided that you:

    • Use a single collective title as the ‘Title of work’ on the application form. (please do not list the items individually),
    • Ensure that the total size does not exceed our limits per registration (above),
    • Ensure that the same author/group/organisation own all the items.

International cover

  1. Are applications accepted from outside the UK?

    Yes. We are able to accept applications from all countries.

  2. Do I need to register in other countries as well?

    No. There is normally no need or requirement to do so. As copyright is an automatic international right, with 164 states signed up to the Berne Convention worldwide, you are already covered internationally. As the purpose of the registration is to provide independent verification of the date and content your work additional registrations would merely duplicate the same evidence.

    U.S. citizens should however note certain additional conditions imposed by US domestic policy.

  3. How do I pay by cheque in £ sterling, if I live outside the UK?

    If you ask at your bank, they will be able to write a cheque or international money order for UK pounds sterling (GBP).

General questions

  1. How long does it take for work to be registered?

    Most applications are dealt with within 1 working day of receipt, but please allow 14 days for postage time and variations in workload.

  2. Can I send amendments to add to my registered work?

    You should use the registration update facility to register any updates to your work. This enables you to include any new content in the registration, whilst still retaining the original registration date, and evidence of the original content of your work. Updates processed in this manner are linked with your existing registration, and protected from the date we process the application. This also provides evidence of ‘evolution of ideas’ and demonstrates that your work has evolved and developed.