certificate · U.S. Copyright Office · 2026-10-04
Compare Registration with the Five-Year Date
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Example result
The registration date is within five years of publication.
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The Copyright Office states that registration within five years of publication is prima facie evidence in court.
The anniversary date is 2025-06-01. This registration is on or before that date.
- Published: 2020-06-01.
- Five-year date: 2025-06-01.
- Registered: 2025-06-01.
- Inside: yes.
What would change this
An earlier registration date can fall inside the window.
Next step
Prima facie evidence is not a court win. It is a starting proof of the certificate facts.
The five-year date is the reason to register before that day, not after it.
This tool gives general information. It is not legal advice. Laws differ by state and change. Check the result with a licensed attorney or a legal aid office before you act.
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Show the working
- Source: U.S. Copyright Office general FAQ, checked 2026-10-04.
- This tool treats the five-year anniversary as still inside the window.
Data as of 2026-10-04. Source: U.S. Copyright Office — Copyright in General (FAQ).
What this does not cover
- The tool does not file a registration.
- Foreign works can follow different lawsuit rules.
- The five-year rule is about evidence, not about the length of copyright.
This tool gives general information. It is not legal advice. Laws differ by state and change. Check the result with a licensed attorney or a legal aid office before you act.
The five-year date is the reason to register before that day, not after it.