Importance of Accurate Copyright Registration: Court Finds that Because Claimant Had Incorrectly Designated Published Work as "Unpublished" with the Copyright Office, Registration Was Invalid and Claimant Could Not Proceed with Copyright Infringement Claim

Family Dollar Stores v. United Fabrics Note:  Copyright registration is a prerequisite for filing a copyright infringement lawsuit, but registration is not what makes a work protected.  The court dismissed the counterclaim, but it did not hold that the copyright itself was invalid.  This decision demonstrates how important it is to file an accurate registration with the Copyright Office. h/t Technology & Marketing Law Blog For informational purposes only.  Not legal advice.