Registering literary, scientific and artistic works

You can apply for registration:

• online, through the IGAC Digital Desk,
• in person, either in Lisbon or Porto,
• by post.

NB: the requirements / necessary documents vary depending on the type of work and the person who is applying for registration, but they will be the same regardless of how you apply (online, in person or by post).

Requirements

To register literary, scientific or artistic works, you will need to submit several documents. There are some general documents that must be attached to all applications, and the other documents required will vary depending on the type of work you want to register.

General documents

• Form(s)
  • Registering a literary or artistic work
  • Registration of literary or artistic work – Annex C (for other authors – where applicable)
• Copy of the work you wish to register, in physical or digital (preferably) format
• Declaration of ownership in the case of collective works
• Declaration by the original author(s) for derivative or composite works
• Contract in situations where the publisher is registering the work
• Court judgment, for cases involving seizure, confiscation or other situations (where applicable)
• Copy of a certificate of inheritance or a document officially certifying that you are the sole heir in the case of an inheritance
• Certified copy of a partial assignment of copyright contract, where there is a partial transfer of copyright
• Certified copy of a notarial instrument assigning the copyright of the work, where full copyright is transferred
• Payment or proof of payment, depending on how the application is submitted

Documents required depending on the type of work to be registered

For literary, scientific and dramatic works in general:

• number of pages or sheets, volumes and format
• for dramatic works, the approximate duration

For musical compositions, with or without words:

• musical genre
• number of bars and approximate duration
• instrument and voice staves and a copy of the score

For choreographies and pantomime (mime):

• written description of stage movements
• recording of the work on a medium allowing the content to be examined by the registry

For sculptures and ceramic works:

• materials and techniques used
• dimensions
• three photographs for three-dimensional visuals

For design, tapestry, painting and decorative tile work:

• type of medium, materials and technique used
• dimensions
• copy or photograph enabling it to be completely identified

For comic books:

• number of pages, sheets or volumes
• copy of the work

For engraving and lithography works (printing):

• engraving technique
• medium material
• matrix material, colours and inks used for printing
• formats, print run and a copy or photograph enabling it to be completely identified

For other visual artworks, applied arts or otherwise:

• industrial designs and design works
• material used
• dimensions
• three photographs for three-dimensional visuals, where applicable
• written description enabling the work to be identified

For photographic works or works produced through any process similar to photography:

• positive or slide copy
• date the photograph was taken or reproduced

For architectural projects, plans or drawings:

• extract or written description enabling it to be identified, including the necessary graphics in DIN-A3 format with the graphic reference scale
• dates on which the working group was set up and ceased if the project was prepared by a working group officially composed of architects or engineers
• recording of the work on a medium allowing the content to be examined

For models:

• scale
• three photographs for three-dimensional visuals

For maps, graphs and illustrations relating to topography, geographical charts or science in general:

• size or scale
• copy enabling it to be completely identified

For computer programs:

• entire source code to be submitted as a copy of the work
• executable file of the program
• brief description of the program
• programming language
• compatibility of operating systems it runs on
• list of files
• flow chart

For databases:

• descriptive document of the database
• systematic and methodical ordering criteria
• data access system
• recording of the work on a medium allowing the content to be checked
• mode of accessing data

For performances by artists, actors or performers:

• written description of the interpretation, performance or enactment
• place and date of the interpretation, performance or enactment or, where applicable, date on which the recording was released
• title and author of the work performed
• recording of the work on a medium allowing the content to be checked

For phonographic productions (graphic representation of sounds):

• title and, where applicable, identification of the author of the work fixed in phonogram
• names of the main artists, actors and performers
• statement from the producer declaring that the artists have given their permission
• type of phonogram or recording system
• date of recording or of broadcast
• copy of the phonogram

For audiovisual productions:

• written description of the production
• recording of the work on a medium allowing the content to be checked
• date of recording or of broadcast

NB: if the type of work you want to register is not on this list, in your registration application, add all the information and documents you consider important – anything that helps identify the work and prove that you created it.

To register your work on the IGAC portal, follow the steps set out below.

1. Sign in with a Digital Mobile Key or Citizen Card on the Artistic Literary Works Register page.
2. Choose the option ‘Registo de obras literárias artísticas’ [Registering artistic literary works] and then ‘Registo de obra literária artística’ [Register an artistic literary work].
3. Click on ‘Complete the application’.
4. Check the fields relating to the representative and the person being represented and, if necessary, fill in the missing fields.
5. Fill in the information about the work.
6. Add all the documents needed to prove registration.
7. Click on ‘Submeter’ [Submit] and add the necessary documents.
8. Click on ‘Gravar’ [Record] to complete the application.
9. A window will appear with the amount to be paid and the payment details.

If anything is unclear, see the IGAC’s explanatory video on the online procedure.

In person

To register in person, go to one of the IGAC offices in Lisbon or Porto.

The application must be submitted by the applicant, who may be the author or the heir of the author.

The respective representatives may also apply on their behalf.

• In-person service – Lisbon
  IGAC – Inspectorate-General for Cultural Activities
  Rua Artilharia 1, 107
  1099-052 Lisbon
  Open on working days: 09:30 to 16:00

• In-person service – Porto
  IGAC – Inspectorate-General for Cultural Activities
  Palacete Vilar de Allen (Património Cultural, I.P. premises)
  Rua António Cardoso, 175
  4150-081 Porto
  Open on working days: 09:30 to 12.30 and 14:00 to 16:30

By post

You can also choose to send all the documents (general documents and the specific ones required for the work you want to register) to Lisbon or Porto by post.

Online

It costs EUR 60 to register a work online.

You can pay using a ‘Multibanco’ reference.

In person

Registering a work at a service desk costs EUR 80.

You can pay in cash or via a ‘Multibanco’ terminal.

By post

Registering a work by post costs EUR 80.

You can pay by transferring the money to IBAN PT50 0781 0112 9112 0000 195 78. Proof of the transfer must be attached to the registration application together with the other documents.