Reference fees across three jurisdictions

Copyright registration
all-in fee schedule

Fees and timelines for HK Statutory Declaration, US Copyright Office and CN NCAC (HKD).

INSIGHT

Before reading the quote

01

Timestamp is everything

Most copyright disputes are not about who owns it but who created it first. HK statutory declarations, US Office certificates, CN registration certificates — all are timestamp evidence.

02

Software is special

Software copyright runs differently — US uses TX form with source-code excerpts; CN NCAC software registration takes the full source. Open-source license choice also shapes downstream enforcement.

03

Contracts ≥ registration

Most copyright transfers happen via work-for-hire, commission and licence — vague contract wording leaves registration empty. We recommend handling contract coverage in parallel.

PROCESS

Four steps from work to timestamp

STEP 01

Work review

Confirm the work type (text / music / film / art / software), originality, first publication date, author and copyright owner.

STEP 02

Evidence prep

Compile source files, creation logs (git history, draft versions), first-publication channel — build an enforceable evidence chain.

STEP 03

File / declare

HK Statutory Declaration (notarised) / US Copyright Office (online TX/SR/PA) / CN NCAC (general work / software) — handled across the three in parallel.

STEP 04

Watch & enforce

DMCA takedowns, platform copyright complaints, customs notices, litigation if needed. Team-E can run an ongoing watchlist.

Engagement

Fee structure

All-in reference fees (HKD) across the three jurisdictions. HK Statutory Declaration is notarised, fixing the creation date; US/CN voluntary registration adds official evidentiary weight.

Hong Kong

Statutory Declaration

RangeHK$2,500 – 3,500

Notarised + filed; fixes creation date and authorship

Copyright Notice / Database

RangeHK$1,800 – 2,800

Timestamp record (no registry; backed by contract + notary)

United States

US Copyright (TX/PA/SR/VA)

RangeHK$1,500 – 2,500

Online filing, Single or Standard form; USPTO fee included

Group Registration (Photos / Articles)

RangeHK$2,800 – 4,500

Single submission for multiple works (photo / article group)

Mainland China

NCAC General Works

RangeHK$2,200 – 3,200

Text / art / music / video and other non-software works

NCAC Software Registration

RangeHK$2,800 – 4,500

Computer program — source-code excerpt + design spec

Contracts

Work-for-Hire / Commission

RangeHK$5,500 – 12,000

Draft or review employment / commission contracts — clean copyright transfer

Licensing / Sub-licensing

RangeHK$8,000 – 18,000

License drafting; covers scope, territory, term, royalty structure

Open-source License Review

RangeHK$8,000 – 25,000

Project-by-project — assess license compatibility and compliance

Contact

Need a timestamp?

Tell us the work type, creation date and enforcement goal — we will recommend HK Statutory Declaration, US/CN voluntary registration or contract coverage.

Copyright fee schedule · Three jurisdictions | Team-E