Q: Can I sell my PDF book on social media without copyright registration or a business license?

A: You only need a business license to have a physical place of business in a given locale, or to go into customers' homes to perform a service. You don't need a business license to sell a book online. You also don't need to register a copyright in order to sell your book.

Your main risk with selling a book online is that you might be accused of infringing someone else's copyright. Your secondary risk is that someone might entirely rip off your book and sell it as their own. Registering a copyright would give you the right to sue that someone in Federal court.

Copyright registration takes about a month and costs a few hundred dollars including attorney fees, or if you are confident that you fully understand the procedure you could do it yourself for less. But I've seen some mistakes made by self-filing registrants.

A: You can legally sell your PDF book directly through social media without registering the copyright or obtaining a business license. Copyright protection in the United States automatically applies as soon as your work is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as a PDF file. However, officially registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens your ability to enforce your rights and seek damages in court if someone copies your work.

Regarding the business license, it's generally acceptable for individuals to sell products directly online without obtaining a license, provided sales remain occasional or limited. If you start making regular sales or significant income, you may be required by local regulations to obtain a business license or seller's permit, and possibly collect sales tax, depending on your jurisdiction.

To protect yourself legally, clearly communicate terms of use, refund policies, and copyright statements in your transaction materials and on social media. Stay vigilant about monitoring for unauthorized distribution or piracy, and consider registering your copyright later when finances allow. If your sales increase substantially or become ongoing, consult your local government office to ensure compliance with licensing, taxation, and reporting requirements.