Why Deposit Your Creations?
Your copyright exists from the moment of creation. But in case of dispute, you must prove you are the author. Without dated proof, your right is unenforceable.
The right is automatic, the proof is not
The Berne Convention guarantees automatic protection of your creations in 181 countries, without formalities. You do not need to register anything to be protected.
The problem arises when someone copies your work. In court, the judge asks one thing: who created first? Without proof dated by a trusted third party, it is your word against theirs. The plagiarist can even accuse you of copying them.
Warning
Without deposit proof
No certified date to prove your anteriority
Your word against the plagiarist's
Long and costly procedure, uncertain outcome
Cannot send a credible DMCA takedown
With Copyright01
Timestamped certificate with SHA-256 fingerprint
Enforceable proof of prior existence in 181 countries
Deposit in 5 minutes, instant PDF certificate
DMCA takedown with enforceable proof
The numbers speak
70%
of disputes fail without third-party dated proof
25%
of photographers have experienced creation theft
5 min
to deposit and get a certificate on Copyright01
181
countries recognize proof of prior existence (Berne Convention)
Myths and facts about depositing
My copyright is automatic, no need to deposit
The reality
True, but insufficient. The right arises at creation, but in court, whoever proves the earliest date wins. Without a deposit, it is your word against theirs.
Sending a registered letter to myself is enough
The reality
False. The "poor man's copyright" has no recognized evidentiary value. The envelope can be opened and resealed, and the postmark does not prove the contents.
Posting on Instagram or GitHub proves my creation
The reality
False. Platforms do not guarantee dates. EXIF metadata can be erased in one click. A post can be backdated or deleted.
Depositing creations is expensive
The reality
False. On Copyright01, the first 3 deposits are free, no credit card required. Beyond that, packs start at less than 5 euros.
How to deposit in 3 steps
Create your free account
Sign up in 30 seconds, no credit card. Google and GitHub available.
Upload your creation
File (text, image, audio, video, code, ZIP), website URL or YouTube video. Copyright01 automatically captures and timestamps the content.
Get your certificate
PDF certificate with SHA-256 fingerprint, certified timestamp and verification QR code. Valid in 181 countries.
Key takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Test your knowledge
Test your copyright knowledge
Question of
Explanation :
Is copyright automatic?
Yes, from the moment of creation
No, registration is required
Only with the © symbol
Copyright arises automatically upon creation in tangible form, in the 181 countries of the Berne Convention.
What does a deposit on Copyright01 prove?
That the work existed at a specific date (prior existence)
That you own the work
That no one can copy your work
A deposit creates proof of prior existence (the work existed at a given date). It does not grant ownership rights, copyright handles that automatically.
Does the "poor man's copyright" (registered letter) have legal value?
No, no solid evidentiary value
Yes, it is official proof
Only in France
The poor man's copyright has no recognized evidentiary value. The envelope can be tampered with and the postmark does not prove the contents.
How many free deposits does Copyright01 offer?
3 free deposits
Only 1
None, it is paid
Copyright01 offers 3 free deposits upon registration, no credit card required.
In how many countries is the Copyright01 certificate recognized?
181 countries (Berne Convention)
France only
27 countries (European Union)
The certificate is recognized in the 181 signatory countries of the Berne Convention, covering nearly the entire planet.
Sources and references
-
1
Berne Convention, WIPOwipo.int
-
2
French Intellectual Property Codelegifrance.gouv.fr
Related Guides
Protect your creations now
3 free deposits, instant certificate with SHA-256 fingerprint and certified timestamp, valid in 181 countries.
