Copyright
Hall Registry
By 1556 a Guild rule applied in that it was an offence not to present to the Wardens every publication not protected by Royal Grant. A Register of copies became the written record to which claims could be referred and by which disputes as to ownership might be settled. Succeeding Copyright Acts confirmed the Company as the place where copies should be registered 'Entered at Stationers' Hall'.
Registration under the Copyright Act of 1911 terminated in December 1923. In the following year the Company established a new Registrar in which books and Fine Arts could be registered for the purpose of record and assisting as proof in case of infringement. 'Registered at Stationers' Hall' applies to any registered work.
The Registry was closed to new registrations in February 2000, and no further applications may be made for registrations of any nature.
If you wish to register new works, please contact your bank or a solicitor who will be able to assist you.
