Copyright Primer—Keep Your Words Yours with Publishers’ Rights
Your magazine work has real value. You own it the moment you create it. Want to protect it? Want to earn from it? This short guide shows how to keep your rights, register your issues, and turn AI interest into cash. Publishers’ Rights helps you every step.
AI & Your Magazine: What’s the Deal?
AI tools ingest tons of content. Will they use your work? Maybe. Do you want compensation for that? Yes! We’ll show you how to protect your content and how to get paid when AI uses it.
What’s Copyright, Anyway?
What did you create? A story? A photo? A cover? Copyright means you own the content. You make it. You keep it. Simple.
Why Register? Why Should You Care?
You own your work. Registration gives you backup. Want extra legal power if someone steals your content? Register it. Want a better shot at compensation if an AI developer scrapes your content? Register it. Sounds worth it? Cool.
What’s “Timely Filing”?
Sounds fancy. It’s not. File within 90 days after the publication date. Do it fast. Why? You have stronger rights in court. Miss that window? You still have rights. You just lose some big perks.
The Big Perk: Statutory Damages
Here’s the part people like. If you filed on time and someone uses your work without asking, a court can award you compensation. Statutory damages are a powerful tool available to copyright holders. This means a judge or jury can award these damages to you without you having to precisely calculate your financial losses. Keep reading.
How to Register Your Stuff
Ready to register? It’s online. Short and tidy.
Choose the serials option (that’s for magazines).
Fill out the form.
Pay the fee.
Upload your issue PDF.
How to Check If You Already Filed?
Not sure if you registered an issue? Check this:
- Go to cocatalog.loc.gov
- Search by magazine title, year, or publisher name.
- See the registration info.
Found it? Nice. Can’t find it? No biggie — you can still register.
Missed an Old Issue? What Now.
Missed the three-month window before? Lots of people do.
You can still register old issues. Do it.
You may not get the big statutory payouts for past copies.
But you can still claim real damages and any money someone made from your work.
Also, your archive is valuable. AI companies want good content. You can license it.
Publishers’ Rights — How We Help
Want a simple way to license your content? We got you.
We help by:
- Creating a license hub where AI companies can pay to use your stuff (legally!).
- Teaming with lawyers who actually fight for your rights.
We make sure your stories stay yours — and earn for you.
Here’s What to Do Right Now
- Check what’s registered. Use the catalog link above.
- Start timely filing. Make it a habit — three months, max.
- Know your worth. Your work has value, even old stuff.
Need help? Publishers’ Rights will walk you through it.
Publishers’ Rights
Don’t leave your intellectual property vulnerable, register your works and secure the protection you deserve. Content creators stand up tall for fair pay, clear rules, and total ownership.
Simple steps. Real results. Legal vibes only.