Copyright Office Eases Bulk Registration for 2D Artists
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting February 17, 2026, artists and creators can register up to 20 two-dimensional artworks published in the same year with one easy online application. This new group registration saves time and money by bundling works together while still protecting each piece individually. If your art has enough creative flair, the Copyright Office will give each work its own official registration under one simple process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
One application for up to 20 artworks
Starting February 17, 2026, you can register up to 20 two-dimensional artworks published in the same calendar year using a single online application. The Copyright Office will examine each work and, if accepted, give each piece its own official registration under that one application.
Examiners may amend records without notice
Examiners may remove ineligible or extra titles/deposits, fix mismatched file-name/title pairs, or add annotations (for example, noting that a deposit shows only two-dimensional identifying material) without first contacting the applicant. The Office will send a post-registration email explaining such changes.
Works must be published in same calendar year
To use the group option, all included works must have been published within the same calendar year (for example, between 01/01/2025 and 12/31/2025). When applying you must give the earliest and most recent publication dates for the group and identify the month of first publication for each work.
Registration timing affects statutory damages
To be eligible for statutory damages or attorney's fees in an infringement lawsuit, a work must be registered before the infringement began or within three months after its first publication. The Office notes applicants may choose to file on a quarterly basis (once every three months) to maximize potential benefits.
Fee stays $85; $4.25 per work if 20
The filing fee for the new group option is $85. If you register 20 works in the group, that equals $4.25 per work ($85 ÷ 20).
3D, architectural, and joint works excluded
The new group option applies only to two-dimensional pictorial or graphic works; three-dimensional works, architectural works, technical drawings, and jointly authored works are ineligible for this group registration option. Works made for hire are eligible only if the employer or commissioning party is named as the author/claimant, and you may not mix works by an individual author with works made for hire in the same group.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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