Ed.D. Dissertation Guide: Copyrighting

As the author of a dissertation, you already own the copyright to your work.  Under U.S. Copyright law, a creator of an "original work" created in a "fixed tangible medium" is immediately and automatically the copyright owner of the work.

For more information about copyright, visit the copyright guide.

Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional but recommended. The registration gives you the right to sue over copyright infringements and allows you to be awarded damages and attorney fees in an infringement action. It also provides some other benefits such as establishing a public record of your dissertation and copyright. Registration is required before you can have these benefits.

• You can register your dissertation yourself by filing for copyright directly through the Registration Portal of the U.S. Copyright Office. The registration fee is $35.

• You can request that ProQuest files for copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office on your behalf. The service fee is $55.00.