Do I Have to Send in a Copy of My Work to c-Site? Will I Get it Back?
First, you should know that the U.S. Copyright Office requires that you submit (with your application) a copy of the work you want registered (otherwise known as the “deposit”). The Copyright Office does not return your work. All copies, phonorecords, and identifying material, including those deposited in connection with claims that have been refused registration, are the property of the United States Government.
Second, you should know that c-Site does not retain a copy of your work, which you forward to c-Site electronically. Upon receipt of your work, c-Site encrypts it so as to provide you the greatest protection possible. After c-Site sends an email message with your application and filing instructions to you, it deletes the encrypted copy of your work from its files.
With c-Site's Express Filing service, once c-Site reviews and forwards your application and work to the Copyright Office, the encrypted copy of your work is deleted.
Ultimately, only you and the Copyright Office have copies of your work — not c-Site.