Calling all bloggers and online content creators! It's time to file copyright applications for your works, and now it's easier than ever. On Aug. 17, 2020, the U.S. Copyright Office (UCO) started offering a special group registration option for "short online literary works" such as short poems, stories, articles, essays, blog entries, and social media posts. The UCO calls this option Group Registration for Short Online Literary Works (GRTX). The GRTX option allows applicants to register up to 50 works with a single application and filing fee.

A "short online literary work" must meet the following requirements:

  1. The work must contain between 50-17,500 words;
  2. The work must first be published on an online platform or website (unpublished works are not eligible for this filing);
  3. All work submitted in one application must have been published within a three-calendar-month period of each other;
  4. The work is limited solely to the text of the short online literary work;
  5. The work must be written or co-written by the same individual or individuals; and
  6. Each creator must be named as the copyright claimant for each work.

Applicants must complete the GRTX application, pay the filing fee, and upload a copy of each work saved in a separate electronic file that is combined into one zip file. The claim must be submitted through the online registration system of the UCO. Emails, podcasts, audiobooks, and computer programs cannot qualify as a short online literary work. In addition, works for hire cannot be filed in the short online literary work application.

This new GRTX registration option provides an easier, streamlined and cost-effective path for bloggers and online content creators to file applications to register the copyright to their creative works. If you have any questions regarding filing copyright applications with the GRTX registration option, or any other copyright questions, please contact a member of Stradley Ronon's Intellectual Property Practice Group.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.