Jeffrey Mantler, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, says that like many photographers he believed for years that once an image "is created, it's copyrighted." That concept is only true to a very limited extent. The truth is that when you don't take the extra step to register your images with the U.S. Copyright Office, you forfeit the protection needed to successfully defend your copyright if it's infringed - a lesson that Jeffrey had to learn the hard way.

To help other photographers, Jeffrey put together a guide on how and why to register your images with the copyright office that PPA Members can access now.