Proper registration of a copyright can provide many benefits, including:
- a public record of the copyrighted work and its registration;
- the right to file an infringement suit against a substantially similar work; and
- a potential award of statutory damages & attorneys fees for infringement.
Secondary benefits of registering the copyright can include:
- legal notice of the copyright;
- a deterrent effect against potential pirates/infringers;
- recognition in a crowded market (e.g., John Grisham, Steven King);
- an enhanced ability to exploit the work via licensing (e.g., Pixar);
- improved opportunities to build a protectable "product" identity, e.g.:
- the Bond films
- the Disney characters
- the Beatle's lyrics and tunes
- Thomas Kincaid's impressionist paintings