I dont understand copyright- do you have to register for a copyright? Is artwork officially protected by copright if the © Copyright symbol is on the work? Please, I need to know

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No, you need to register it with the Federal Copyright Office. It is like a 35 dollar fee and you have to send them a copy of your work. http://www.copyright.gov/eco/index.html

For visual art: Under the present copyright law, which became effective January 1, 1978, a work is automatically protected by copyright when it is created. A work is created when it is “fixed” in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. Neither registration in the Copyright Office nor publication is required for copyright protection under the present law

Your original artwork is automatically "copyright" protected at creation so you do not need to officially copyright it (although you can per certain guidelines). However, if you are employed/contracted and create the artwork as part of your job then you may not own the rights to it, your employer/client may. Do not put the copyright symbol on fine art, it is amateur and unprofessional. Artwork should be signed, dated, and if you have any copies, drafts, sketches, etc. you should keep them to support your claim IF it were ever to become an issue. Owning the art and being the creator of the art are not the same thing. Look into these differences as well as licensing to better understand what applies to your situation. Good luck!

First, you don't even need to place the copyright symbol with the piece for it to be copyright protected. The moment the piece is created it enjoys copyright protection. This means that no one is allowed to copy or publish the piece without the owner's permission. The copyright symbol is only to remind viewers that someone DOES own the rights. However, the creator can get additonal protection by registering the copyright with, in the USA, the official government copyright office. This registration allows the owner to sue for monetary damages if someone DOES use the image without permission or license. In either case, with or without the registration, it is STILL the copyright owner's responsibility to find the unauthorized use and take steps to prevent and stop it. There is NO government office that sits around and investigates copyright violations. The government WILL prosecute, but it is still up to the owner to bring these violations to the attention of the courts. For a complete understanding of copyright laws, you should read the information at the official copyright office website. I noticed that one other person has posted this site, and STILL gave you incorrect information on what copyright protection means. http://www.copyright.gov