Copyright is not just a legal term. It is a real tool that protects creators and stimulates the development of culture, science, technology, and the creative economy. For Ukrainian authors, the issue of quick and reliable registration of their authorship is often crucial: it determines whether they will be able to effectively transfer or sell their rights, receive compensation for the use of their work, or protect themselves in case of plagiarism.
That is why the recent changes introduced by the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (hereinafter – UNOIPI) are of strategic importance. They simplify and speed up the procedure for registering copyright and agreements relating to property rights in works, making the Ukrainian system more convenient, modern, and closer to European standards.
What exactly has changed?
According to Order No. 337 of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine dated August 27, 2025, updates to the Procedure for State Registration of Copyright and Contracts, which directly affect authors, publishers, companies, agents, and producers, have come into force.
The main changes are as follows:
- The application review period has been shortened.
Previously, the procedure could take several months, but now it is limited to 30 calendar days. This means that authors can obtain a certificate of state registration of their rights in less than a month.
- Issuance of a certificate of registration of the agreement.
Instead of a “registration decision,” the applicant receives an official certificate that has greater legal probative value and can be used as proof of rights in court, when transferring rights, or when licensing.
- The ability to correct errors and obtain duplicates.
If obvious errors are found in the certificate or decision, it is now possible to submit a request for their correction or obtain a duplicate without having to go through the procedure again.
- Return of original documents.
All documents submitted by the applicant are now returned after review, which increases transparency and trust in the procedure.
- Extension of the deadline for correcting deficiencies.
If errors are found in the application or documents are missing, the applicant can officially request additional time for correction without the risk of automatic rejection.
What this means for authors and rights holders
These changes have a real impact on the creative community.
- Speed, allowing authors and companies to quickly register rights, conclude contracts, register licenses, sell or donate rights to works.
- Simplicity: the updated procedure has become more understandable, with fewer bureaucratic requirements.
- Legal certainty: the certificate has greater evidentiary value than simply submitting documents or publishing a work electronically.
- Convenience for business, as companies can now register contracts for the transfer of rights more quickly, which is especially important for startups, IT companies, design studios, and publishing houses.
Comparison with international practice
By implementing these changes, Ukraine is gradually moving closer to the practices of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU), where the copyright registration procedure is as automated as possible. In most EU countries, copyright protection arises automatically from the moment a work is created, but official registration remains important evidence in the event of a legal dispute.
Also, for example, in the US, the copyright registration process (through the US Library of Congress) takes 2-4 months, but expedited review is available for an additional fee.
Finally, this period has now been reduced to 30 days in Ukraine, which effectively puts our country on a par with developed legal systems.
Challenges and prospects
Despite the positive changes, the system faces a number of challenges:
- the need to improve the qualifications of experts,
- optimization of electronic filing,
- harmonization of the national database with European registries.
The issue of authorship of works created using artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI) deserves special attention. There are already cases in the world where courts refuse to register works created without human participation. The Ukrainian system is gradually adapting to these realities, and UNOIPI already provides recommendations on such situations.
The reduction of the time required to consider applications for copyright registration in Ukraine is an important step forward. The new rules enable authors to obtain documentary confirmation of their rights more quickly, simplify the circulation of rights to works, and increase the level of trust in the national intellectual property protection system.
Today, Ukrainian artists, entrepreneurs, and creators have been given a tool that really works. But it is important not just to have the right, but to record it in a timely manner, formalize it correctly, and protect it.
As intellectual property lawyers, we help our clients:
- register copyright in Ukraine and abroad;
- draw up agreements on the transfer or licensing of rights;
- accompany international registration and protection in courts (Ukraine);
- ensure the protection of rights in the digital environment.
Contact us, and we will help make your creative product legally protected, commercially attractive, and safe in international circulation.
