If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the work, it is possible to collect statutory damages and attorney's fees in infringement actions (otherwise only actual damages may be collected); If made before or within 5 years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate; Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim and allows for the recordation of transfers of ownership of the copyright; and Registration allows the copyright to be used to prevent the importation of infringing copies. registration is a prerequiste for an infringement action when the copyrighted work is first published in the USA, or if unpublished is by a USA author (if first published outside the USA don't need to worry about registration) but registration IS NOT a prerequisite for works whose country of origin is not the USA (done to comply with Berne Convention) early registration will ensure prima facie proof of validity of the copyright for works of USA origin, registration is a prerequisite to an infringement action statutory damages and attorney's fees may be awarded only if registration is made prior to the commencement of the infringement