Copyright Offices Outside the United States

There is no such thing as a Copyright Office outside of the U.S.? Myth or reality?

The United States maintains a copyright office primarily to register claims to copyright, record transfers of copyright interests and supply copies of works to the Library of Congress. What about outside of the United States? We have frequently heard that only the United States registers copyright claims. Hear from attorneys outside of the United States whether copyright offices exists in their countries and why.

Each presenter will briefly go over the following:

• Does your country have a copyright office?
• If so, what are the functions of the office?
• Register claims to copyright?
• Record transfers of ownership?
• Help the government to maintain control? e.g. censorship
• Is registration mandatory for any purpose?
• Are there benefits to registration? If so for what?
• What are typical costs and times for foreign associates to register and recordation documents?
• When is registration recommended?