Short answer
Your work is copyrighted when you create it. Formal registration with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional legal benefits but is not required to publish.
Direct answer
Your work is copyrighted when you create it. Formal registration with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional legal benefits but is not required to publish.
What authors usually misunderstand
Many authors believe they must register copyright before publishing, or that a publisher registers it for them automatically.
FloodGate's approach
FloodGate does not provide legal advice. We recommend consulting an attorney for copyright registration decisions.
What this means for you
You own your work from creation. Registration is a separate legal step you may choose to take.