How do I get copyright for my thesis/dissertation?
As the author of a thesis or dissertation, you 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, and your work is protected.
Do I need to register my work with the U.S. Copyright Office?
As stated above, your thesis or dissertation is automatically protected under copyright. However, there are some important practical and legal benefits to registering your copyright, particularly the right to collect "statutory damages" in a successful infringement lawsuit. Essentially, if at some point you might want to take legal action in order to protect your work, you should register it with the U.S. Copyright Office.
How do I register my work?
In the course of this submission, you can request that ProQuest/UMI file for copyright with the U.S. Copyright on your behalf. ProQuest charges a $75 fee for this service. You can also do the filing yourself directly through U.S. Copyright Office at copyright.gov. You will be charged a $35 registration fee.