The registration of software copyright is an important step for any software developer to protect his or her own software. In China, the registration of software copyright has gradually formed a relatively complete system as early as 1991, while abroad , especially in some developed countries, the registration of software copyrights has a long history, because developed countries pay more attention to the protection of intellectual property rights, and the patent system also has a long history. So what are the procedures for foreign registration of software copyrights? Let’s find out. What are the foreign registration procedures for software copyright? 1. Let’s talk about software copyright first. According to Article 4 of the "Computer Software Protection Regulations", foreign (U.S.) companies, like Chinese companies, can go directly to the China Copyright Protection Center to register copyright. If there are no problems after review, you can get the registration certificate within 2 months. For relevant procedures, see the "Computer Software Copyright Registration Measures". Very simple. Next, let’s talk about patent applications. For general software, just register the copyright and do not need to apply for a patent. However, some of the computer software related to hardware can also be patented, making the protection more adequate and effective. For example, automation equipment used in industrial production needs to be controlled by computer software. Then scientific researchers designed a new set of computer software to improve the control accuracy and greatly improve the operating efficiency of the automation equipment, thereby effectively improving In order to improve production efficiency and produce good technical effects, this type of computer software can be protected by applying for patents, making the protection more powerful. Applying for a patent is complicated, unlike just registering a copyright. According to Article 19 of the Patent Law, foreigners, foreign enterprises or other foreign organizations that do not have a habitual residence or business office in China must entrust a patent agency established in accordance with the law to handle the application for patents and other patent matters in China. Please consult the relevant patent agency for specific details. 2. Adhere to the system that requires affixing a copyright mark as a prerequisite for obtaining copyright. The copyright mark consists of three parts: one is the English copyright, Copr or abbreviation mark, which represents copyright. The second is the year the work was first published. 3. The name or abbreviation of the copyright owner or other means of indicating the copyright owner. After the United States joined the Berne Convention, because the convention stipulated that the acquisition of copyright was not conditional on affixing a mark, the United States promulgated the Berne Convention Implementation Act in 1989 to adjust the conflict between domestic laws and the Berne Convention. It stipulates that affixing marks is optional, and if the author fails to affix a mark, the copyright will not necessarily be lost. This changes the long-held practice before and achieves integration with international conventions. However, the law still encourages authors to include the copyright mark. If the author adds a copyright mark, then when the work is infringed, the infringer cannot claim that he has infringed without fault, and cannot make a request to the court to reduce his liability for compensation on this basis. Therefore, in order to effectively and fully protect their rights when necessary, authors often add copyright marks as always.