No official copyright registration is required in the UK. GOV.UK states that copyright protection is automatic when qualifying original work is created, there is no application fee and there is no register of copyright works in the UK.
What can authors do?
Keep dated drafts, contracts, correspondence and source files that help document authorship and the development of the work. A copyright notice can also identify the rights holder, although it is not required for protection.
Publishing contracts are separate
Copyright ownership and the rights licensed to a publisher or service provider should be dealt with clearly in the publishing agreement.
Not legal advice
For a specific dispute, rights transfer or licensing issue, obtain advice from a qualified UK intellectual-property professional.
Official sources
Platform fees and rules can change. Use the source links below when making a final publishing decision.
