Ebooks don’t have to be copyrighted but an official copyright will protect you in the case of an unauthorized use or reproduction of your content in a slightly different way than an informal copyright claim will (also commonly known as an “assumed” copyright). In order to file a lawsuit for infringement of a copyright, the material must be registered (in the U.S.) Also, according to Copyright.gov, “If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.” In the case that your material is misused, an official copyright registration will strengthen your case and result in fewer legal fees on your part.
The official copyright registration process can be completed in just a few minutes through the United States Copyright Office and costs only $45. You can expect to hear back from the office within four months, at which time you will receive an official certificate of registration. Be sure to read all of the forms and submission rules carefully. A properly completed application will allow your claim to be processed quicker. For more information visit Copyright.gov.
Here is a great site for more information on copyright information.
