Proof of authorship in Bulgaria — what the options are
Copyright in Bulgaria arises automatically when the work is created — no registration is required. The problem comes with a dispute: if someone uses your work without permission and contests it, you have to prove when you created it. Plagiarism, a conflict with a client, theft of digital content — all of it comes down to reliable proof with an exact date.
Traditional methods have limits. Notary deposit costs 30–100 BGN per work, requires you to show up in person and isn't practical for digital files with frequent versions. Tax-office (НАП) registration is for specific legal acts, not for proving authorship of a creative file. Neither was designed for the way work happens today — fast, digital, with many versions.
A certificate of authorship with a verified date is the modern alternative with the same evidentiary weight. The eIDAS regulation puts it on par with a notarial act for proving date and content. StampR uses the BORICA – B-Trust infrastructure recognized by the Ministry of Culture. The price is €2.50, the process takes under two minutes and requires no in-person presence anywhere.
Be clear about what the certificate does: it doesn't stop copying, it proves who was first — and that wins the dispute. If you work with clients, publish or build software and want proof that holds up before a court in Bulgaria and the EU — certify your work with StampR.
Options in Bulgaria, compared
| Method | Cost | Suited for | Weight in court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notary deposit | 30–100 BGN/work | physical documents, one-off | strong |
| Tax-office (НАП) registration | fee per the act | specific legal acts, contracts | not for a creative file |
| StampR certificate | €2.50 | digital works with many versions | strong (eIDAS) |
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to register my copyright in Bulgaria?
- No — it arises automatically on creation. The problem is proving it in a dispute, not registration.
- Does НАП registration work for a creative file?
- No. НАП registration is for specific legal acts, not for proving authorship of a work.
- Is the certificate recognized outside Bulgaria?
- Yes — it has legal standing across the EU under eIDAS.
- How is it better than a notary?
- Faster, cheaper, digital and suited to frequent versions — without losing evidentiary weight.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to register my copyright in Bulgaria?
- No — it arises automatically on creation. The problem is proving it in a dispute, not registration.
- Does НАП registration work for a creative file?
- No. НАП registration is for specific legal acts, not for proving authorship of a work.
- Is the certificate recognized outside Bulgaria?
- Yes — it has legal standing across the EU under eIDAS.
- How is it better than a notary?
- Faster, cheaper, digital and suited to frequent versions — without losing evidentiary weight.
