---
kind: "section"
citation: "17 U.S.C. § 1304"
title: "17"
title_heading: "Copyrights"
number: "1304"
heading: "Commencement of protection"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/17/1304"
units:
  - "Chapter 13 — Protection of Original Designs"
---

# §1304. Commencement of protection


The protection provided for a design under this chapter shall commence upon the earlier of the date of publication of the registration under [section 1313(a)](/usc/17/1313.md?p=a) or the date the design is first made public as defined by [section 1310(b)](/usc/17/1310.md?p=b).


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 105–304, title V, § 502, Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2907.)