If that is done, to the extent that copyright is available, it should be automatically secured in most other countries under international treaties. In the U.S., registration is necessary for copyright owner to enjoin, or to recover actual damages suffered from, unauthorized uses of a work. In the case of unpublished works, registration must occur prior to the unauthorized use. Published works should be registered within three months of publication. Whether one registers or not, copies of most works published in the U.S. must be deposited with the U. S. Copyright Office, Washington, D.C. 20559.
Registration is inexpensive and often straight-forward.
Simple forms, containing basic instructions, are available from the Copyright Office. Registration requires the submission of identifying material as set forth in Section 202.20 of Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Copyright in works of regular employees are presumed to be owned by their employers. In the absence of agreement to the contrary, employers own all rights to any work created within an employee's scope of employment. Free-Lance Programmers and Entrepreneurs .