CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface

Disclosed herein is a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content-creating software application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications. Additionally disclosed is a method and system of registering a creative work in order to memorialize the creation of the creative work from within a running content creating application through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications. Additionally disclosed is a method and system for accessing and sharing copyright-protected creative works through a web accessible software application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of illustration, the present invention is shown in the preferred embodiments of a system and method for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a content-creating application by electronically preparing and submitting a copyright application to the United Stated Copyright Office along with the appropriate fees and for providing a means of registering a creative work with an online-accessible database which memorializes the creation of the creative work and sharing that creative work online. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5,FIG. 6,FIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9,FIG. 10,FIG. 11,FIG. 12,FIG. 13,FIG. 14,FIG. 15,FIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 25,FIG. 26,FIG. 27,FIG. 28andFIG. 29, the process flow and examples of screen views of the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface is illustrated.FIG. 1shows a flow chart50demonstrating the process flow of the system and method provided by the present invention.FIG. 2illustrates a screen view of a tablet home page101of a mobile device, which is a tablet.FIG. 3depicts a screen view of a video application video page205of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone.FIG. 4shows a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video path selection window281.FIG. 5displays a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video registration information window282.FIG. 6demonstrates a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video add artist window283.FIG. 7shows a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video registration payment window284.FIG. 8displays a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window285.FIG. 9illustrates a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office video legal disclaimer window286.FIG. 10shows a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window287.FIG. 11shows a screen view of a music application home page300of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet.FIG. 12shows a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet.FIG. 13depicts a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow music path selection window382.FIG. 14illustrates a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow music registration information window383.FIG. 15shows a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow music registration payment window384.FIG. 16displays a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window385.FIG. 17illustrates a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office music legal disclaimer window386.FIG. 18shows a screen view of a music application song page306of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window387.FIG. 19shows a screen view of a photo application home page400of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer.FIG. 20depicts a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow photo path selection window483.FIG. 21illustrates a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow photo registration information window484.FIG. 22shows a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow photo registration payment window485.FIG. 23displays a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window486.FIG. 24illustrates a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo legal disclaimer window487.FIG. 25shows a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window488.FIG. 26shows a screen view of a photo application photo page401of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration submission confirmation window489.FIG. 27illustrates a screen view of a CopyRightNow application login page500.FIG. 28displays a screen view of a CopyRightNow application dashboard page501.FIG. 29displays a screen view of a CopyRightNow application content detail page502.

In further detail, referring now to the invention ofFIG. 1, a flow chart50demonstrating the process flow of the system and method provided by the present invention is shown. The process of the present invention begins when a user is within a creative application100. A creative application is any software application which allows a user to create a work which is copyright protectable, such as an original writing, an original video, original artwork, an original picture, an original song, or the like. To begin the process, after copyright protectable content is created within the creative application and without leaving the creative application, the user selects the CopyRightNow logo105and the CopyRightNow application programming interface launches a CopyRightNow interface. If the user has not already created a CopyRightNow profile, the user next creates a CopyRightNow profile110. The CopyRightNow profile is linked to a user's CopyRightNow account and stores user information associated with the user, which is submitted with any copyright application or registration of a creative work. The user information may include name, address, email address, other contact information, etc. Next, the user must choose between the CopyRightNow registration pathway52and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office registration pathway51. If the user chooses the CopyRightNow registration pathway52, the user selects CopyRightNow registration165. Next, the used is prompted for information necessary for the registration of the creative work and provides the requested information170. Next, the user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms and services175. The user then verifies the information, which was requested and entered and which was provided by the user profile, approves the price of registering the creative work, enters a password to verify the user's identity, and approves the submission of the CopyRightNow Registration180. The information and the creative work are then digitally submitted to the CopyRightNow system185. Information, which memorialized the creation of the creative work, such as date, time, creator, and a copy of the work, is stored with the CopyRightNow system. The creative work has now been registered with CopyRightNow, and the user then has the ability to manage submitted content through the CopyRightNow dashboard190. If instead the user chooses the CopyRightNow Copyright Office registration pathway51, the user selects United States Copyright registration115. Next, the used is prompted for information necessary for the registration of the creative work with the United States Copyright Office and provides the requested information120. Next, the user agrees to the United States Copyright terms and services125. The user then verifies the information, which was requested and entered and which was provided by the user profile, approves the price of registering the creative work with the United States Copyright Office, enters a password to verify the user's identity, and approves the submission of the United States Copyright application130. The United States Copyright information and the creative work are then digitally submitted to the CopyRightNow system135. The payment is processed through third party merchant systems160in order to segregate the portion of the payment that is submitted to the United States Copyright Office as a copyright application fee. Through automation, the CopyRightNow application programming interface takes the submitted data and prepares an electronic United States Copyright application form and then automatically submits the application to the United States Copyright Office140, along with the requisite fee, for registration of the creative work. Next, the user receives verification of the submission to the United States Copyright Office through the CopyRightNow application programming interface145. United States copyright application information, such as date, time, creator, and a copy of the work, is stored with the CopyRightNow system, and the user then has the ability to manage submitted content through the CopyRightNow dashboard155and enjoys the benefits of the CopyRightNow registration pathway52as well as the benefits of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office registration pathway51.

In further detail, referring now toFIG. 2, a screen view of a tablet home page101of a mobile device, which is a tablet, is shown. Since the CopyRightNow application programming interface is accessed from within a content-creating application, the first step of the method and system of the present invention is to start a creative application. A content-creating application is a software application, which allows users to create original works, and which runs on a host device. A host device may be a mobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet, or the like, or a host device may be a device that is not mobile, such as a personal computer, desktop computer, or the like. For the purposes of illustrative example,FIG. 2shows the screen of a mobile device, which is a tablet. The tablet home page101shows icons for accessing a creative application, including a video application icon102and a music application icon103.

In further detail, referring now to the invention ofFIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5,FIG. 6,FIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9andFIG. 10, a screen view of a content-creating video application running on a mobile device, which is a smartphone, is shown.FIG. 3shows a video application video page205with a video icon210displayed for the creative work to be protected, which in this case is an original video. The video application video page205also shows a video menu220of activities that may be performed from within the video application. These activities include sharing options, such as sharing the video through SMS206, sharing the video through email207, sharing the video though Facebook208and sharing the video through Twitter209. The CopyRightNow button215is also included in the video menu220. When the user selects the CopyRightNow button215depicted inFIG. 3, a CopyRightNow video path selection window281, which is shown inFIG. 4, is displayed within the content-creating application. In the CopyRightNow video path selection window281, the user is presented with two options, the CopyRightNow video registration pathway242and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration pathway243. The user enters the CopyRightNow video registration pathway242by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration button290. The user enters the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration pathway243by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration button295. To initiate registration with the CopyRightNow system, the user selects the CopyRightNow video registration button290ofFIG. 4and the CopyRightNow video registration information window282ofFIG. 5is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow video registration information window282allows the user to enter the video author's name into the CopyRightNow video author field211or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional authors may be added using the CopyRightNow video add author button212. The title of the work being registered is entered into the CopyRightNow video title field213. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow video description field214. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration information window back button215. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration information window next button216. When the user selects the CopyRightNow video add author button212, the CopyRightNow video add artist window283ofFIG. 6is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow video add artist window283allows users to search for other artists within the CopyRightNow system by entering a portion of the artist's name into the CopyRightNow search artist field217. Artists with similar names are listed in the CopyRightNow artist search result list218. A selected artist may be added as an author by selecting the CopyRightNow add selected artist button219. When the user selects the CopyRightNow video registration information window next button216ofFIG. 5, the CopyRightNow video registration payment window284ofFIG. 7is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow video registration payment window284allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile, by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow video registration information field222. If the information is correct and if the user agrees to the terms of service, the user selects the CopyRightNow video registration acceptance of terms box221. The cost of the CopyRightNow video registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow video registration cost field224. The user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow video registration password field223. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration payment window back button225. Selecting the CopyRightNow video registration payment submission button226completes registration of the creative work with the CopyRightNow system. Returning toFIG. 4, in addition to registering the creative work with the CopyRightNow system, the user may chose to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by following the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration pathway243. The user initiates copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration button295ofFIG. 4, and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window285ofFIG. 8is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window285allows the user to enter the video author's name into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video author field251or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional authors may be added using the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video add author button252. The title of the work being registered with the United States Copyright Office is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video title field253. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video description field254. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration with the United States Copyright Office. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window back button255. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window next button256. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window next button256ofFIG. 8, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window286ofFIG. 9is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window286displays a list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal affirmations261, to which the user must agree before completing the submission of a copyright registration application to the United States Copyright Office. The user agrees to the list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal affirmations261by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal affirmations agreement box262. The user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms of service by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration terms of service agreement box263. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window back button264. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window next button265. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window next button265ofFIG. 9, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window287ofFIG. 10is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window287allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information field271. The cost of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration cost field274and includes the application and registration fee that is paid to the United States Copyright Office. If the information in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information field271is correct, the user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration password field272. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window back button275. Selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment submission button276, instructs the CopyRightNow application programming interface to assemble a copyright application for the creative work using the supplied information and to automatically submit the copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate registration fees.

In further detail, referring now to the invention ofFIG. 11,FIG. 12,FIG. 13,FIG. 14,FIG. 15,FIG. 16,FIG. 17andFIG. 18, a screen view of a content-creating music application running on a mobile device, which is a tablet, is shown.FIG. 11illustrates a screen view of a music application home page300of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet.FIG. 12shows a music application song page306with a song icon310displayed for the creative work to be protected, which in this case is an original song. The music application song page306also shows a music menu326of activities that may be performed from within the music application. The CopyRightNow button341is included in the music menu326. When the user selects the CopyRightNow button341shown inFIG. 12, a CopyRightNow music path selection window382, which is shown inFIG. 13, is displayed within the content-creating application. In the CopyRightNow music path selection window382, the user is presented with two options, the CopyRightNow music registration pathway342and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration pathway343. The user enters the CopyRightNow music registration pathway342by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration button390. The user enters the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration pathway343by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration button395. To initiate registration with the CopyRightNow system, the user selects the CopyRightNow music registration button390ofFIG. 13, and the CopyRightNow music registration information window383ofFIG. 14is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow music registration information window383allows the user to enter the artist's name into the CopyRightNow music artist field311or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional artists may be added using the CopyRightNow music add author button312. The title of the work being registered is entered into the CopyRightNow song title field313. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow song description field314. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration information window back button315. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration information window next button316. When the user selects the CopyRightNow music registration information window next button316ofFIG. 14, the CopyRightNow music registration payment window384ofFIG. 15is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow music registration payment window384allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile, by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow music registration information field322. If the information is correct and if the user agrees to the terms of service, the user selects the CopyRightNow music registration acceptance of terms box321. The cost of the CopyRightNow music registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow music registration cost field324. The user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow music registration password field323. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration payment window back button325. Selecting the CopyRightNow music registration payment submission button327completes registration of the creative work with the CopyRightNow system. Returning toFIG. 13, in addition to registering the creative work with the CopyRightNow system, the user may chose to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by following the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration pathway343. The user initiates copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration button395ofFIG. 13, and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window385ofFIG. 16is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window385allows the user to enter the music author's name into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music artist field351or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional authors may be added using the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music add artist button352. The title of the work being registered with the United States Copyright Office is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office song title field353. The year of completion of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music completion year field357. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration with the United States Copyright Office. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window back button355. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window next button356. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window next button356ofFIG. 16, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window386ofFIG. 17is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window386displays a list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal affirmations361, to which the user must agree before completing the submission of a copyright registration application to the United States Copyright Office. The user agrees to the list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal affirmations361by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal affirmations agreement box362. The user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms of service by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration terms of service agreement box363. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window back button364. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window next button365. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window next button365ofFIG. 17, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window387ofFIG. 18is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window387allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information field371. The cost of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration cost field374and includes the application and registration fee that is paid to the United States Copyright Office. If the information in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information field371is correct, the user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration password field372. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window back button375. Selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment submission button376, instructs the CopyRightNow application programming interface to assemble a copyright application for the creative work using the supplied information and to automatically submit the copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate registration fees.

In further detail, referring now to the invention ofFIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 21,FIG. 22,FIG. 23,FIG. 24,FIG. 25andFIG. 26, a screen view of a content-creating photo application running on a web browser application on a personal computer is shown.FIG. 19displays a screen view of a photo application home page400of a content-creating application running on a web browser on a personal computer.FIG. 20shows a photo application photo page401with a photo icon410displayed for the creative work to be protected, which in this case is an original photo. When the user selects the CopyRightNow button441, a CopyRightNow photo path selection window483is displayed within the content-creating application. In the CopyRightNow photo path selection window483, the user is presented with two options, the CopyRightNow photo registration pathway442and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration pathway443. The user enters the CopyRightNow photo registration pathway442by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration button490. The user enters the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration pathway443by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration button495. To initiate registration with the CopyRightNow system, the user selects the CopyRightNow photo registration button490ofFIG. 20and the CopyRightNow photo registration information window484ofFIG. 21is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow photo registration information window484allows the user to enter the photographer's name into the CopyRightNow photographer field411or import photographer information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The title of the work being registered is entered into the CopyRightNow photo title field413. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow photo description field414. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration information window back button415. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration information window next button416. When the user selects the CopyRightNow photo registration information window next button416ofFIG. 21, the CopyRightNow photo registration payment window485ofFIG. 22is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow photo registration payment window485allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile, by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow photo registration information field422. If the information is correct and if the user agrees to the terms of service, the user selects the CopyRightNow photo registration acceptance of terms box421. The cost of the CopyRightNow photo registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow photo registration cost field424. The user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow photo registration password field423. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration payment window back button425. Selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration payment submission button426completes registration of the creative work with the CopyRightNow system. Returning toFIG. 20, in addition to registering the creative work with the CopyRightNow system, the user may chose to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by following the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration pathway443. The user initiates copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration button495ofFIG. 20, and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window486ofFIG. 23is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window486allows the user to enter the photo author's name into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo author field451or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The title of the work being registered with the United States Copyright Office is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo title field453. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo description field454. The year of completion of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo completion year field457. The user's email address is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration email field485or imported from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The user's address is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration street address field486, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration city address field487, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration country address field444, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration state address field488, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration zip address field489or this address information is imported from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The user's citizenship is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration citizenship field484. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration with the United States Copyright Office. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window back button455. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window next button456. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window next button456ofFIG. 23, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window487ofFIG. 24is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window487displays a list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal affirmations461, to which the user must agree before completing the submission of a copyright registration application to the United States Copyright Office. The user agrees to the list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal affirmations461by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal affirmations agreement box462. The user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms of service by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration terms of service agreement box463. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window back button464. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window next button465. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window next button465ofFIG. 24, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window488ofFIG. 25is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window488allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information field471. The cost of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration cost field474and includes the application and registration fee that is paid to the United States Copyright Office. If the information in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information field471is correct, the user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration password field472. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window back button475. Selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment submission button476, instructs the CopyRightNow application programming interface to assemble a copyright application for the creative work using the supplied information and to automatically submit the copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate registration fees. When the creative work has been successfully submitted to the United States Copyright Office, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration submission confirmation window489ofFIG. 26is displayed within the content-creating application. The user returns to the photo application photo page401of the content-creating application by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration submission confirmation OK button445.

In further detail, referring now to the invention ofFIG. 27,FIG. 28andFIG. 29, screen views of a CopyRightNow application are shown.FIG. 27illustrates a screen view of a CopyRightNow application login page500. A CopyRightNow application login window510is displayed on the CopyRightNow application login page500. To access the CopyRightNow system directly, a user enters a user name into the CopyRightNow application user name field520, enters the password associated with the user name into the CopyRightNow application password field530and selects the CopyRightNow application login button540. After filling in the required user name and password and selecting the CopyRightNow application login button540ofFIG. 27, the CopyRightNow application dashboard page501ofFIG. 28is displayed. The CopyRightNow application dashboard page501displays creative content icons551for each creative work that has been registered with the CopyRightNow system using the CopyRightNow application programming interface method. A CopyRightNow application song icon561is displayed for a creative work that is a song. A CopyRightNow application video icon562is shown for a creative work that is a video. A CopyRightNow application photo icon563is displayed for a creative work that is a photo. Creative works that have been authored by the user and registered with the CopyRightNow system may be sorted in various ways through the CopyRightNow application dashboard page501. A CopyRightNow application content-type sort menu521displays icons for sorting registered content by content type and allows users to filter creative works by their corresponding content type, such as images, videos, audio works, text works, blog works, design works, or the like. A CopyRightNow application creative application sort menu531displays icons for sorting registered content by the creative application on which it was created and allows users to filter creative works by their corresponding creative applications, such as Instagram, Snapseed, Pinterest, or the like. A user may search the CopyRightNow system by entering search terms into the CopyRightNow application search field511. A user may access other sections of the CopyRightNow system by selecting a link in the CopyRightNow application user menu541, such as profile, settings, site map or contact information for CopyRightNow. By selecting one of the creative content icons551ofFIG. 28, a CopyRightNow application content detail page502ofFIG. 29is displayed. In the CopyRightNow application content detail page502, a CopyRightNow application creative work detail icon527is displayed. The title of the creative work is displayed in the CopyRightNow application title detail field522. A copyright statement may be added into a CopyRightNow application copyright statement detail field523. A watermark may be added to the digital creative work by selecting the CopyRightNow application add watermark button524. The description of the creative work is listed in the CopyRightNow application description detail field525. The user may download a CopyRightNow registration verification letter by selecting the CopyRightNow application registration verification letter link526. The date and time of registration of the creative work is displayed in the CopyRightNow application date/time detail field528. The user may apply various third party activities to the creative work, such as sharing or the like, by selecting one of the icons listed in the CopyRightNow application detail activity menu532. Selecting the CopyRightNow application detail page close button533closes the CopyRightNow application content detail page502, and the CopyRightNow application dashboard page501is displayed again.

The construction details of the invention as shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5,FIG. 6,FIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9,FIG. 10,FIG. 11,FIG. 12,FIG. 13,FIG. 14,FIG. 15,FIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 25,FIG. 26,FIG. 27,FIG. 28andFIG. 29, are that the method and system for providing copyright protection for a creative work from within a third party content-creating application running on a host device comprises a CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface, which is software that is incorporated into a third party content-creating application, and which runs from within the third party content-creating application without exiting the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface interacts with the CopyRightNow system and exchanges information with the CopyRightNow system. The CopyRightNow system comprises one or more web servers with one or more databases of user data, software to assemble copyright applications, software to process payments, software to interact with the United States Copyright Office, and software to run the CopyRightNow application. After a user has created a creative work within a content-creating application, the user make seek copyright protection by activating the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface from within the content-creating application and without exiting the content-creating application. User information stored within the CopyRightNow system's user database is downloaded for use by the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface. The user may choose to register the work with the CopyRightNow system or pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office. When the user selects CopyRightNow registration, the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface gathers any additional necessary information that is not available in the CopyRightNow database through user entry, collects payment and uploads the creative work to the CopyRightNow system along with information relevant to copyright protection. The user may later access the uploaded content through the CopyRightNow application. When the user selects copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office, the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface gathers any additional necessary information that is not available in the CopyRightNow database through user entry, collects payment and uploads the creative work to the CopyRightNow system along with information relevant to copyright protection. The CopyRightNow system utilizes software to generate an electronic copyright application and then electronically submits the generated copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate application and registration fees. The CopyRightNow system receives electronic confirmation of the submission from the United States Copyright Office and then relays the confirmation to the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface, which is running on the content-creating application, for display to the user. The user may later access the submitted content through the CopyRightNow application. The CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface provides a portable interface for standardized copyright protection across multiple content-creating application platforms.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it provides a method and system for providing copyright protection from within a running content-creating application and without requiring the content-creating application to be closed, which may result in the loss of the creative work. Additionally, the present invention promotes the registration of copyrights by providing a quick and easy means of registering a copyright. Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage of collecting information relevant in the successful enforcement of copyright protection. Moreover, the present invention allows content creators to protect their original works from the device on which the creative work was created, allowing creative works to be readily protected in any location with Internet access.

In broad embodiment, the present invention relates generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content creating application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content creating application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications. Additionally, the present invention relates generally to a method and system of registering a creative work in order to memorialize the creation of the creative work from within a running content creating application through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.