Copyright fee changes

FYI for you creative types: the Copyright Office is now going to greater lengths to discourage you from using paper forms to register your works.

New fees went into effect on August 1, with paper filing fees starting at $50 for Form CO, which you fill out using a computer, then print and out and mail. Basic registration using paper that you fill out by hand is up to $65!

For $35, most works of authorship can be filed electronically. This fee is actually lower than the old basic filing fee from before electronic filing became available, which was $45.

I'd say that should be incentive for just about anyone to use the online registration system. If you're in the neighborhood, please feel free to drop by the Government Information Desk to get more information about online registration.

If you or someone you know needs help learning to use a computer, the library's got you covered with regular free computer basics classes. Visit sfpl.org and click on "Classes" to get an up-to-date listing of classes.

On an unrelated note, and, again, if you're in the City (whether physically or in spirit), join in the fun and check out this year's One City, One Book selection, Alive in Necropolis by Doug Dorst.