COMPENDIUM OF U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE PRACTICES
On January 28, 2021 the U.S. Copyright Office released an updated version of the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition. The following is a list of the sections that were added, amended, renumbered, or removed in this release. Sections shown in blue were renumbered, but the content remains the same. Sections shown in red were removed.
Introduction
| Page |
Heading |
| 1 |
Effective Date of the Third Edition |
| 1 |
Citing to the Compendium |
| 2 |
Standard of Deference for the Compendium |
| 4 |
First and Second Editions of the Compendium |
| 5 |
Relationship Between the First, Second, and Third Editions of the Compendium |
| 7 |
How to Provide Comments on the Compendium |
Chapter 100
| Section |
Heading |
| 101.2(G) |
Copyright Modernization Office |
| 101.2(H) |
Office of the Chief Financial Officer |
| 101.3(A) |
National Copyright Registration and Recordation System |
| 101.3(B) |
Regulatory Work |
| 102.4 |
Federal Court Decisions |
| 102.5 |
State Laws |
| 102.7 |
Timeline of Selected Historical Dates in U.S. Copyright Law |
Chapter 200
| Section |
Heading |
| 201 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 202 |
Purposes and Advantages of Registration |
| 202.1 |
Types of Registrations |
| 202.2 |
Registration Distinguished from Preregistration |
| 203 |
Timing of Registration |
| 204 |
Required Elements for Registration |
| 204.1(A) |
Online Application |
| 204.1(B) |
Paper Applications |
| 204.1(B)(1) |
By Mail or Commercial Carrier |
| 204.2 |
Filing Fee |
| 204.3 |
Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 204.3(A) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Submitted in Electronic Format |
| 204.3(B) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Submitted in Physical Format |
| 207 |
Special Handling |
| 209 |
The Certificate of Registration, the Registration Decision Date, and the Effective Date of Registration |
| 211 |
Registration Refused After Examination |
| 213 |
The Registration Process at a Glance |
Chapter 300
| Section |
Heading |
| 302 |
The Legal Framework |
| 305 |
The Fixation Requirement |
| 307 |
Copyrightable Subject Matter |
| 309.1 |
Prior Works and Prior Registrations |
| 310.3 |
Symbolic Meaning and Impression |
| 310.5 |
The Author's Inspiration and Intent |
| 310.6 |
The Author's Skill, Experience, and Artistic Judgment |
| 310.7 |
The Time, Effort, or Expense Required to Create the Work |
| 310.10 |
Commercial Appeal or Success |
| 310.11 |
Other Forms of Legal Protection |
| 311.2 |
The Originality Requirement for Derivative Works |
| 312.1 |
Copyrightable Subject Matter |
| 313.2 |
Works That Lack Human Authorship |
| 313.3(D) |
Typeface and Mere Variations of Typographic Ornamentation |
| 313.4(E) |
Measuring and Computing Devices |
| 313.4(H) |
Characters |
| 313.5 |
Specific Types of Works That May Contain Uncopyrightable Material |
| 313.6(C)(1) |
U.S. Government Works |
| 313.6(C)(2) |
Government Edicts |
Chapter 400
| Section |
Heading |
| 401 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 405 |
Applications Filed by or on Behalf of the Author |
| 405.3 |
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities |
| 405.5 |
Deceased Authors |
Chapter 500
| Section |
Heading |
| 503.1(B) |
Copyrightable Subject Matter |
| 505.2 |
Determining Whether the Work is a Joint Work |
| 507.2 |
The Scope of the Copyright in a Derivative Work |
| 509 |
Collective Works and Contributions to Collective Works |
| 511 |
One Work Per Registration |
| 512.1 |
Unpublished Versions of the Same Work |
| 512.2 |
Published Versions of the Same Work |
Chapter 600
| Section |
Heading |
| 601 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 602.4(E) |
Duplicate Claims |
| 602.6 |
General Policy Regarding Location of Information |
| 602.7 |
General Practices Regarding Missing Information |
| 603 |
Variances |
| 603.2 |
Material Variances |
| 603.2(A) |
Material Variances That May Be Resolved by Amending the Registration Record without Annotating |
| 603.2(B) |
Material Variances That May Be Resolved by Amending and Annotating the Registration Record |
| 603.2(C) |
Material Variances That Cannot Be Resolved by Amending or Annotating the Registration Record |
| 604.1 |
Addressing Variances in Registration Materials |
| 604.2 |
Adding Comments to the Registration Record |
| 604.3 |
Adding Missing Information to the Registration Record |
| 605.1 |
General Policies |
| 605.2(A) |
Note to Copyright Office |
| 605.2(B) |
Cover Letters |
| 605.3(A) |
The U.S. Copyright Office's Email Addresses |
| 605.3(D) |
Communication from the U.S. Copyright Office May Address Multiple Issues |
| 605.4 |
Case Numbers, Service Request Numbers, THREAD ID Numbers, and Correspondence Identification Numbers |
| 605.6(B) |
Email |
| 605.6(C) |
Email Requests for Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 605.6(D) |
Letters |
| 605.8 |
Procedure for Reopening a Closed Application |
| 605.9 |
Withdrawing an Application |
| 606 |
Warnings |
| 607 |
Registration Made Under the Rule of Doubt |
| 608 |
Refusal to Register |
| 609 |
Identifying the Work that the Applicant Intends to Register |
| 609.1 |
Online Application |
| 609.1(A) through 609.1(C) |
Question 1: Are You Registering One Work? through Question 3: Does the Work You Are Sending Contain Material Created Only by This Author? |
| 609.2 |
Paper Applications |
| 609.3 |
Works Containing Multiple Forms of Authorship |
| 610.1 |
Title Types |
| 610.2 |
Title of Work Being Registered / Title of this Work |
| 610.4 |
Works Containing Separate and Independent Works: Units of Publication, Collective Works, and Contributions to Collective Works |
| 610.4(A) |
Contents Title: Titles of Separate and Independent Works Included in a Larger Work |
| 610.4(B) |
Title of Larger Work |
| 610.6(A) |
Untitled Works |
| 610.6(B) |
Descriptive Titles That Appear to Be Incorrect |
| 610.6(D)(1) |
Variances between the Title Provided in the Application and the Title That Appears on the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 610.6(D)(2) |
Title That Appears on the Deposit Copy(ies) is More Complete Than the Title Provided in the Application |
| 610.6(D)(3) |
Edition Number, Version Number, or Other Identifying Information Not Provided |
| 610.6(D)(4) |
Material Variances Between the Title Provided in the Application and the Title That Appears on the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 611.1(A) |
Year of Completion for an Unpublished Work Created Over a Period of Time |
| 611.1(B) |
Year of Completion for Multiple Versions of the Same Work |
| 611.2(A) |
Year of Completion Apparently Incorrect |
| 611.2(B) |
Year of Completion Omitted |
| 612.2 |
What Constitutes Publication? |
| 612.3 |
Determining whether the Work is Published or Unpublished |
| 612.6(C) |
ISBN, ISSN, and Other Standard Numbers |
| 612.7(C) |
Nation of Publication Given in a Paper Application without a Date of Publication |
| 612.7(F) |
Exact Date of Publication Unknown |
| 612.7(G) |
Multiple Dates of Publication |
| 612.7(I) |
Impossible, Impractical, or Implausible Date of Publication |
| 612.7(J) |
Nation of First Publication: Works Published in Multiple Countries |
| 612.7(K) |
Nation of First Publication Unclear |
| 613.1 |
Who Is the Author? |
| 613.5 |
Identifying the Authors of a Joint Work |
| 613.7 |
Identifying the Author of a Compilation |
| 613.8 |
Identifying the Author of a Collective Work or a Contribution to a Collective Work |
| 613.9 |
Completing the Application: Name of Author |
| 613.10(A) |
Name of Author Unclear |
| 613.10(B) |
Name of Author Variances |
| 613.10(B)(1)(b) |
Material Variances |
| 613.10(B)(2) |
Variance Between the Number of Authors Named in the Application and the Number of Authors Named in the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 613.10(C) |
Name of Author Not Required |
| 613.10(F) |
Name of an Author Omitted: Works Created by Large Numbers of Authors |
| 614.1 |
Completing the Application: Works Made for Hire |
| 614.1(E) |
Registering a Work Made for Hire as an Anonymous or Pseudonymous Work |
| 614.2 |
Examination Guidelines: Works Made for Hire |
| 614.2(B)(5) |
Organization Named as the Author of a Work Made for Hire |
| 614.2(B)(6) |
Individual Named as Author of a Work Made for Hire |
| 614.2(B)(8) |
Individual and Unincorporated Organization Named Together as the Authors of a Work Made for Hire |
| 615.1(B) |
Completing the Application: Anonymous Works |
| 615.2(A) |
What Is a Pseudonymous Work? |
| 615.2(B) |
Completing the Application: Pseudonymous Works |
| 616.3 |
Completing the Application: Author's Year of Birth and Death |
| 617.3 |
Determining the Author's Citizenship or Domicile for a Work Made for Hire |
| 617.6 |
Completing the Application: Citizenship and Domicile |
| 617.7(B) |
Citizenship and Domicile in Multiple Countries |
| 618.1 |
Asserting a Claim to Copyright |
| 618.4(A) |
The Online Application: Author Created Field |
| 618.4(B) |
Paper Applications: Nature of Authorship Space |
| 618.4(C) |
Recommended Terminology for Asserting a Claim to Copyright |
| 618.6 |
Compilations |
| 618.7 |
Collective Works |
| 618.7(B)(2) |
Registering a Collective Work and a Contribution to a Collective Work |
| 618.7(C) |
Asserting a Claim to Copyright in a Serial Publication |
| 618.7(D) |
Examples for Asserting a Claim to Copyright in a Collective Work and/or a Contribution to a Collective Work |
| 618.8(A) |
Authorship Unclear |
| 618.8(A)(1) |
Design |
| 618.8(A)(2) |
Game |
| 618.8(A)(4) |
Author, Artist, Writer, Songwriter, Editor, and Other Professional Designations |
| 618.8(A)(5) |
Story, Story Idea, Story Concept, Story Line |
| 618.8(A)(6) |
Conceived, Conception |
| 618.8(A)(7) |
Plot |
| 618.8(A)(8) |
Characters |
| 618.8(A)(9) |
Research |
| 618.8(A)(11) |
Entire Work and Other Unspecific Terms |
| 618.8(C) |
Uncopyrightable Material Claimed in the Author Created Field or the Nature of Authorship Space |
| 618.8(C)(1) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Containing Copyrightable Authorship and Uncopyrightable Material; No Claim Asserted in Uncopyrightable Material |
| 618.8(C)(2) |
Claim in Copyrightable Authorship and Uncopyrightable Material |
| 618.8(C)(3) |
Claim in Uncopyrightable Material: Deposit Copy(ies) Contain Copyrightable Authorship |
| 618.8(C)(4) |
Claim in Uncopyrightable Material: Acceptable Authorship Statement Used to Describe Uncopyrightable Material |
| 618.8(C)(6) |
Claim in Uncopyrightable Material: Registration Refused |
| 618.8(D) |
De Minimis Material Claimed in the Author Created Field or the Nature of Authorship Space |
| 618.8(D)(1) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Contain Copyrightable Authorship and De Minimis Material; No Claim Asserted in the De Minimis Material |
| 618.8(D)(2) |
Claim in Copyrightable Authorship and De Minimis Material |
| 618.8(D)(3) |
Claim in De Minimis Material: Works Created by Two or More Authors |
| 618.8(D)(4) |
Claim in De Minimis Material: Registration Refused |
| 618.8(E) |
Variances Between the Information Provided in the Application and Elsewhere in the Registration Materials |
| 618.8(F) |
Material Claimed in the Author Created Field or Nature of Authorship Space Not Found in the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 618.8(H) |
Nature of Authorship Statement Omitted from a Paper Application |
| 618.8(I) |
Nature of This Work |
| 619 |
Name of Claimant |
| 619.12 |
Completing the Application: Name of Claimant |
| 619.13(A) |
Nicknames, First Names, Last Names, and Abbreviated Versions of the Claimant's Name |
| 619.13(B) |
Initials |
| 619.13(C) |
Identifying the Author of a Pseudonymous Work as the Copyright Claimant |
| 619.13(D) |
Identifying the Author of an Anonymous Work as the Copyright Claimant |
| 619.13(E)(3) |
Individual Name Listed Above or Below the Name of a Legal Entity in a Paper Application |
| 619.13(K) |
Variances Between the Name Provided in the Name of Claimant Field / Space and Elsewhere in the Registration Materials |
| 619.13(Q) |
Deceased Individual or Defunct Entity Named as a Claimant |
| 619.13(T) |
Name of Claimant Omitted |
| 620.10(D)(1)(b) |
Partnerships |
| 620.10(D)(1)(c) |
Community Property States |
| 620.10(D)(2) |
Same Person Is Named as Author and Claimant |
| 621.8(B) |
Identifying Unclaimable Material That Should Be Excluded from the Claim |
| 621.8(C)(1) |
The Online Application: New Material Included Field |
| 621.8(C)(2) |
Paper Applications: Space 6(b) |
| 621.8(D) |
Completing an Application to Register a Compilation, a Collective Work, and/or a Contribution to a Collective Work |
| 621.9(A)(2) |
Applicant Has Not Asserted a Claim in Unclaimable Material |
| 621.9(A)(3) |
Unclaimable Material Described in the Application but Not Included in the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 621.9(D)(1) |
Claim Clearly Defined by the Title of the Work |
| 621.9(D)(5) |
Claim Clarified by Information Provided in the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 621.9(E) |
Uncopyrightable Material Claimed in the New Material Included Field or Space 6(b) |
| 621.9(E)(1) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Contain Copyrightable Authorship and Uncopyrightable Material; No Claim Asserted in the Uncopyrightable Material |
| 621.9(E)(2) |
Claim in Copyrightable Authorship and Uncopyrightable Material |
| 621.9(E)(3) |
Claim in Uncopyrightable Material: Deposit Copy(ies) Contain Copyrightable Authorship |
| 621.9(E)(6) |
Claim in Uncopyrightable Material: Registration Refused |
| 621.9(F) |
De Minimis Material Claimed in the New Material Included Field or Space 6(b) |
| 621.9(F)(1) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Contain Copyrightable Authorship and De Minimis Material; No Claim Asserted in the De Minimis Material |
| 621.9(F)(2) |
Claim in Copyrightable Authorship and De Minimis Material |
| 621.9(F)(4) |
Claim in De Minimis Authorship: Registration Refused |
| 621.9(G) |
Discrepancies Between the Limitation of Claim Fields and the Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 621.9(H)(2) |
Unpublished Works |
| 621.9(I) |
Discrepancies Involving the Registration Number or Year of Registration in a Paper Application |
| 621.9(J) |
Reference to Previous Registration Clearly Erroneous |
| 621.9(K) |
Reference to a Preregistration in the Previous Registration Field/Space |
| 622 |
Rights and Permissions Information / Correspondent / Mail Certificate |
| 623.4 |
Timeline for Special Handling Requests |
| 623.5 |
Procedure for Requesting Special Handling |
| 623.5(C) |
Requests Delivered by Commercial Carrier, Courier or by Mail |
| 623.5(D) |
Procedure for Requesting Special Handling for a Pending Application or a Pending Recordation |
| 623.6 |
Special Handling Fee |
| 623.7 |
Special Handling for Multiple Applications That Share the Same Deposit Copy |
| 624 |
Certification |
| 624.1 |
The Significance of the Certification |
| 624.2 |
Who May Certify the Application? |
| 624.3(A) |
Online Applications |
| 624.3(B) |
Paper Applications |
| 624.4(A) |
Signature Requirements |
| 624.4(B) |
Date of Certification in a Paper Application |
| 625 |
Registration Decision Date and Effective Date of Registration |
| 625.1 |
Minimum Requirements for an Acceptable Application |
| 625.2 |
Minimum Requirements for Acceptable Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 625.2(B) |
Unacceptable File Formats for the Deposit Copy(ies) Accompanying an Online Application |
| 625.2(D) |
Shipping Slips for Mailing Physical Deposit Copy(ies) to Accompany an Online Application |
| 625.3 |
Minimum Requirements for an Acceptable Filing Fee |
| 625.3(A) |
Forms of Payment |
| 625.4 |
Minimum Requirements for Establishing an Effective Date of Registration Distinguished from the Requirements for Issuing a Certificate of Registration |
| 625.5 |
Differences Between an Application and a Certificate of Registration |
Chapter 700
| Section |
Heading |
| 705 |
Fixation of Literary Works |
| 709.3 |
Abridgements |
| 712 |
Monographs and Serials |
| 712.1 |
What Is a Literary Monograph? |
| 712.1(A) |
Copyrightable Authorship in Literary Monographs |
| 712.1(B) |
Application Tips for Registering a Literary Monograph |
| 712.2 |
What is a Serial? |
| 712.2(A) |
Copyrightable Authorship in Serials |
| 712.2(B) |
Application Tips for Registering a Single Issue of a Serial Publication |
| 712.3 |
ISBN and ISSN Numbers |
| 713 |
Book Jackets |
| 714 |
Games |
| 715.3 |
Application Tips for Genealogies |
| 716 |
Instructional Texts and Instructional Works |
| 717 |
Legal Matters |
| 717.1 |
Legal Publications |
| 721.5 |
Relationship Between Source Code and Object Code |
| 721.7 |
Copyrightable Authorship in a Computer Program |
| 721.9 |
Application Tips for Computer Programs |
| 721.9(B) |
Title of the Program |
| 721.9(D) |
Year of Completion |
| 721.9(H) |
Acceptable Terminology for an Application to Register a Computer Program |
| 721.10(C) |
Deposit Requirements for Screen Displays |
| 721.11 |
User Manuals and Other Documentation for a Computer Program |
| 722 |
Apps |
| 723 |
Computer Programs That Generate Typeface, Typefont, or Barcodes |
| 725 |
Spreadsheets, Reports, and Other Documents Generated by a Computer Program |
| 727 |
Databases |
| 727.3 |
Application Tips for Databases |
| 727.4 |
Deposit Requirements |
Chapter 800
| Section |
Heading |
| 802.4(A) |
Copies |
| 802.4(B) |
Phonorecords |
| 802.4(C) |
Motion Pictures |
| 802.6 |
Derivative Musical Works |
| 802.8(A) |
A Registration for a Musical Work Distinguished from a Registration for a Sound Recording |
| 802.8(D) |
Name Individual Authors (Not Performing Groups) as the Author of a Musical Work |
| 802.8(E) |
Work Made for Hire Authorship |
| 802.8(G) |
[Reserved] |
| 802.8(H) |
[Reserved] |
| 802.8(I) |
[Reserved] |
| 803.5(D) |
Pre-1972 Sound Recordings |
| 803.8(A) |
A Registration for a Sound Recording Distinguished from a Registration for a Musical Work or Literary Work |
| 803.8(F)(4) |
Bonus Track Added to a Previously Published Album |
| 803.8(G) |
[Reserved] |
| 803.8(H) |
[Reserved] |
| 803.8(I) |
[Reserved] |
| 803.9(A) |
Type of Work |
| 803.9(D)(4) |
Beats/Music Track |
| 803.9(D)(6) |
Sound Effects |
| 804.3(F) |
Illustrations or Descriptions of Costumes, Scenery, Sets, Props, or Lighting |
| 804.5(B) |
Phonorecords |
| 804.8(B) |
Synopses |
| 804.8(C) |
Redacted Screenplay for a Motion Picture in Production |
| 805.2(B) |
Compositional Arrangement |
| 805.5(B)(3) |
Ordinary Motor Activities, Non-Expressive Physical Activities, Competitive Maneuvers, Feats of Physical Skill or Dexterity, and Other Uncopyrightable Movements in Choreographic Works |
| 805.8(D) |
Descriptions, Depictions, and Illustrations of Social Dances, Simple Routines, or Other Uncopyrightable Movements |
| 806.5(B) |
Ordinary Motor Activities, Non-Expressive Physical Activities, Competitive Maneuvers, Feats of Physical Skill or Dexterity, and Other Uncopyrightable Movements in Pantomimes |
| 807.5(C) |
Human Authorship |
| 808.10(D) |
Missing Authorship Elements |
| 808.10(G)(2)(a) |
Sounds Published on the Same Date |
| 808.10(D) through 808.10(J)(1) |
Redacted Screenplay for a Motion Picture in Production through The 1994 Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) |
| 808.10(J)(2) |
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) |
| 808.11(D) |
Unclear Authorship Terms |
| 808.11(E) |
Unacceptable Authorship Terms |
| 808.12 |
Deposit Requirements for Motion Pictures |
Chapter 900
| Section |
Heading |
| 901 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 902 |
Visual Arts Division |
| 903.1 |
Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works |
| 903.2 |
Architectural Works |
| 904 |
Fixation of Visual Art Works |
| 905 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Visual Art Works |
| 906 |
Uncopyrightable Material |
| 906.1 |
Common Geometric Shapes |
| 906.3 |
Colors, Coloring, and Coloration |
| 906.4 |
Typeface, Typefont, Lettering, Calligraphy, and Typographic Ornamentation |
| 906.6 |
Blank Forms |
| 906.7 |
Naturally Occurring and Discovered Material |
| 906.8 |
Mechanical Processes and Random Selection |
| 906.9 |
Measuring and Computing Devices |
| 906.10 |
Useful Articles and the Mechanical or Utilitarian Aspects of Works of Artistic Craftsmanship |
| 908 |
Jewelry Designs |
| 908.1 |
What is Jewelry? |
| 908.2 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Jewelry |
| 908.3 |
Application Tips for Jewelry |
| 909.3 |
Uncopyrightable Material |
| 909.3(A) |
Photographic Reproductions, Digital Copying, and Digital Restoration |
| 909.3(B) |
X-Rays, Medical Imaging, and Non-Medical Echo Sonography |
| 910 |
Games, Toys, Dolls, Stuffed Animals, and Puppets |
| 911 |
Characters |
| 912 |
Cartoons, Comic Strips, and Comic Books |
| 913 |
Prints |
| 914 |
Trademarks, Logos, and Labels |
| 914.1 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Trademarks, Logos, and Labels |
| 914.2 |
Application Tips for Trademarks, Logos, and Labels |
| 915 |
Catalogs |
| 916 |
Retrospective Works and Exhibition Catalogs |
| 917 |
Art Reproductions |
| 917.1 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Art Reproductions |
| 917.2 |
Application Tips for Art Reproductions |
| 917.2(A) |
Distinguishing Art Reproductions from the Source Work and Identifying Material |
| 917.2(B) |
Authorship Unclear |
| 918 |
Installation Art |
| 919 |
Maps |
| 919.1 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Maps |
| 919.2 |
Derivative Maps |
| 920 |
Patterns, Stencils, and How-To Books |
| 920.1 |
Patterns for Making Articles |
| 920.2 |
Stencils and Templates |
| 920.3 |
How-to-Books, Project Books, and Crafts-Making Books |
| 920.4 |
Application Tips for Patterns, Stencils, and How-To Books |
| 921 |
Graphs, Charts, Tables, and Figures |
| 922 |
Technical and Scientific Drawings |
| 923 |
Models |
| 923.1 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Models |
| 923.2 |
Application Tips for Models |
| 924 |
Copyright Law Protects the Design Aspects of a Useful Article |
| 924.1 |
What Is a Useful Article? |
| 924.2 |
What is the Design of a Useful Article? |
| 924.3 |
The Separability Test |
| 924.3(A) |
The Separate-Identification Requirement |
| 924.3(B) |
The Independent-Existence Requirement |
| 924.3(C) |
Separable Features May Enhance the Functionality of the Useful Article |
| 924.3(D) |
Separable Features May Cover the Entire Surface of a Useful Article |
| 924.3(E) |
Separating the Design Feature from the Useful Article |
| 924.3(F) |
The Overall Shape of a Useful Article Is Not Protectable |
| 924.4 |
The Originality Test |
| 924.5 |
Guidelines for Applying the Separability and Originality Tests |
| 924.6 |
Application Tips for Registering the Design of a Useful Article |
| 924.6(A) |
One Application Per Article |
| 924.6(B) |
Completing the Application |
| 924.6(C) |
Preparing the Identifying Material |
| 925 |
Works of Artistic Craftsmanship |
| 925.1 |
What Is a Work of Artistic Craftsmanship? |
| 925.2 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Works of Artistic Craftsmanship |
| 925.3 |
Works of Artistic Craftsmanship Distinguished from a Useful Article |
| 926 |
Architectural Works |
| 926.1 |
Architectural Works Distinguished from Technical Drawings |
| 926.2 |
Copyrightable Authorship in Architectural Works |
| 926.2(A) |
Standard Configurations |
| 926.2(B) |
Functional Features |
| 926.2(C) |
Building Design Created Before December 1, 1990 |
| 926.3 |
Application Tips for Architectural Works |
Chapter 1000
| Section |
Heading |
| 1006 |
Copyrightable Subject Matter |
| 1006.1(B) |
Databases |
| 1008.3(A) |
What Constitutes Publication? |
| 1008.3(B) |
Reproduction and Distribution Distinguished from Performance and Display |
| 1008.3(C) |
The Authorization Requirement |
| 1008.3(F) |
Determining the Publication Status of a Work Made Available Only Online |
| 1008.4 |
Identifying the Work(s) That May Be Included in the Claim |
| 1008.6(B) |
Unpublished Website Content |
| 1008.7 |
Statutory Damages |
| 1009.3 |
Year of Completion |
| 1009.4 |
Date and Nation of First Publication |
| 1009.8 |
Limitation of Claim |
| 1010.1 |
Deposit Requirements for Registration |
| 1010.3 |
Deposit Requirements for Unpublished Works and Works Published Solely Online |
| 1010.4 |
Uploading Large Files or Large Numbers of Files to the Electronic Registration System |
| 1010.6(G) |
Databases Contained or Embedded Within a Website |
Chapter 1100
| Section |
Heading |
| 1101 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 1102 |
[Reserved] |
| 1103 |
The Unit of Publication Option |
| 1103.1 |
What Is a Unit of Publication? |
| 1103.1(A) |
The Unit Must Contain Separately Fixed Component Works |
| 1103.1(B) |
The Unit Must Contain an Actual Copy or Phonorecord of the Works |
| 1103.1(C) |
The Works Must Be Physically Bundled in the Unit |
| 1103.1(D) |
The Works Must Be Distributed to the Public in the Unit |
| 1103.1(E) |
Works That Do Not Qualify as a Unit of Publication |
| 1103.2 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1103.3 |
Registration Requirements |
| 1103.4 |
Completing the Application |
| 1103.4(A) |
Type of Work |
| 1103.4(B) |
Title |
| 1103.4(C) |
Publication / Completion |
| 1103.4(D) |
Authors of the Component Works |
| 1103.4(E) |
Manufacturer, Publisher, Producer, Packager, or Creator of the Unit of Publication |
| 1103.4(F) |
Author Created / Nature of Authorship |
| 1103.4(G) |
Claimants / Transfer Statement |
| 1103.4(H) |
Limitation of Claim |
| 1103.4(I) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1103.4(J) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1103.4(K) |
Special Handling |
| 1103.4(L) |
Certification |
| 1104 |
The Sound Recording / Recorded Work Option |
| 1105 |
Group Registration |
| 1105.1 |
What Is a Group Registration? |
| 1105.2 |
Group Registration Options |
| 1105.3 |
Registration Requirements |
| 1105.4 |
The Scope of a Group Registration |
| 1106 |
Group Registration of Unpublished Works |
| 1106.1 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1106.1(A) |
The Group Must Be Limited to Unpublished Works |
| 1106.1(B) |
Works That May Be Registered with this Option |
| 1106.1(C) |
The Number of Works That May Be Included in the Group |
| 1106.1(D) |
The Works Must Be Registered in the Same Administrative Class |
| 1106.1(E) |
The Author and Claimant for Each Work Must Be the Same |
| 1106.2 |
Application Requirements |
| 1106.3 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1106.3(A) through 1106.3(L) |
Registration Process Overview through Certification |
| 1106.4 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1106.5 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Unpublished Works |
| 1106.5(A) |
Types of Works |
| 1106.5(B) |
Titles of the Works |
| 1106.5(C) |
Year of Completion / Year of Creation |
| 1106.5(D) |
Authors / Claimants |
| 1106.5(E) |
Anonymous and Pseudonymous Works |
| 1106.5(F) |
Works Made for Hire |
| 1106.5(G) |
Author Created |
| 1106.5(H) |
Limitation of Claim |
| 1106.5(I) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1106.5(J) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1106.5(K) |
Special Handling |
| 1106.5(L) |
Certification |
| 1106.6 |
Unpublished Collections Eliminated March 15, 2019 |
| 1107 |
Group Registration of Serials |
| 1107.1 |
What Is a Serial? |
| 1107.2 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1107.2(A) |
The Collective Work Requirement |
| 1107.2(B) |
Collective Work Authorship |
| 1107.2(C) |
All New Collective Works |
| 1107.2(D) |
Discrete, Self-Contained Collective works |
| 1107.3 |
Application Requirements |
| 1107.4 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1107.5 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1107.5(A) |
Digital Copies Required |
| 1107.5(B) |
File Naming Convention for Digital Copies |
| 1107.5(C) |
Uploading the Digital Files |
| 1107.5(D) |
Physical Copies Permitted Until December 31, 2019 |
| 1107.5(D) |
Special Relief |
| 1107.6 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Serials |
| 1107.6(A) |
Type of Group |
| 1107.6(B) |
Identifying the Serial |
| 1107.6(C) |
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) |
| 1107.6(D) |
Nation of First Publication / Author's Citizenship |
| 1107.6(E) |
Volume, Number, Issue Date, and Date of Publication |
| 1107.6(F) |
Author / Claimant |
| 1107.6(G) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1107.6(H) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1107.6(I) |
Special Handling |
| 1107.6(J) |
Certification |
| 1107.7 |
Scope of Protection for Serial Issues Registered Under the Group Registration Option |
| 1108 |
Group Registration of Newspaper Issues |
| 1108.1 |
What Is a Newspaper? |
| 1108.2 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1108.2(A) |
The Collective Work Requirement |
| 1108.2(B) |
Collective Work Authorship |
| 1108.2(C) |
All New Collective Works |
| 1108.2(D) |
Discrete, Self-Contained Collective Works |
| 1108.3 |
Application Requirements |
| 1108.4 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1108.5 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1108.5(A) |
Digital Copies Required |
| 1108.5(A)(1) |
Final Edition Required; Early Editions and Local Editions Permitted |
| 1108.5(A)(2) |
PDF Format Required |
| 1108.5(A)(3) |
File Naming Convention |
| 1108.5(A)(4) |
Uploading the Digital Files |
| 1108.5(B) |
Special Relief from the Deposit Requirements |
| 1108.6 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Newspaper Issues |
| 1108.6(A) |
Type of Group |
| 1108.6(B) |
Identifying the Newspaper |
| 1108.6(C) |
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) |
| 1108.6(D) |
Publication Dates for the Issues in the Group |
| 1108.6(E) |
Nation of First Publication |
| 1108.6(F) |
Number of Issues in the Group |
| 1108.6(G) |
Author / Claimant |
| 1108.6(H) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1108.6(I) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1108.6(J) |
Special Handling |
| 1108.6(K) |
Certification |
| 1108.7 |
Scope of Protection for Newspaper Issues Registered Under the Group Registration Option |
| 1109 |
Group Registration of Newsletters |
| 1109.1 |
What Is a Newsletter? |
| 1109.2 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1109.2(A) |
Each Work Must Be an All-New Issue or an All-New Collective Work |
| 1109.2(B) |
Discrete, Self-Contained Works |
| 1109.3 |
Application Requirements |
| 1109.4 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1109.5 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1109.5(A) |
Digital Copies Required |
| 1109.5(B) |
File Naming Convention |
| 1109.5(C) |
Uploading the Digital Files |
| 1109.5(D) |
Special Relief |
| 1109.6 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Newsletters Issues |
| 1109.6(A) |
Type of Group |
| 1109.6(B) |
Identifying the Newsletter |
| 1109.6(C) |
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) |
| 1109.6(D) |
Publication Dates for the Issues in the Group |
| 1109.6(E) |
Nation of First Publication |
| 1109.6(F) |
Number of Issues in the Group |
| 1109.6(G) |
Author / Claimant |
| 1109.6(H) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1109.6(I) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1109.6(J) |
Special Handling |
| 1109.6(K) |
Certification |
| 1109.7 |
Scope of Protection for Newsletter Issues Registered Under the Group Registration Option |
| 1110 |
Group Registration for Contributions to Periodicals |
| 1110.1 |
What Is a Contribution to a Periodical? |
| 1110.2 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1110.3 |
Application Requirements |
| 1110.4 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1110.5 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1110.6 |
When May an Application for a Group Registration Be Filed? |
| 1110.7 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals |
| 1110.7(A) |
Type of Group |
| 1110.7(B) |
Identifying the Works Included within the Group |
| 1110.7(B)(1) |
Identifying the Contributions |
| 1110.7(B)(2) |
Identifying the Periodicals |
| 1110.7(C) |
Identifying the Author |
| 1110.7(D) |
Identifying the Copyrightable Material that the Author Created |
| 1110.7(E) |
Identifying the Copyright Claimant |
| 1110.7(F) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1110.7(G) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1110.7(H) |
Special Handling |
| 1110.7(I) |
Certification |
| 1110.8 |
Contributions That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements |
| 1111 |
Group Registration of Short Online Literary Works |
| 1111.1 |
What Is a Literary Work? |
| 1111.2 |
What Is a Short Online Literary Work? |
| 1111.3 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1111.3(A) |
All of the Works Must Be Short Online Literary Works |
| 1111.3(B) |
The Number of Works That May Be Included in the Group |
| 1111.3(C) |
The Number of Words in Each Work |
| 1111.3(D) |
All the Works Must Be First Published Online within Three Consecutive Calendar Months |
| 1111.3(E) |
The Author and Claimant for Each Work Must Be the Same Individual |
| 1111.4 |
Application Requirements |
| 1111.5 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1111.6 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1111.7 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Short Online Literary Works |
| 1111.7(A) |
Preparing the List of Titles, File Names, Publication Dates, and Word Counts |
| 1111.7(B) |
Type of Group |
| 1111.7(C) |
Title of the Group |
| 1111.7(D) |
Number of Works in the Group |
| 1111.7(E) |
Year of Completion |
| 1111.7(F) |
Earliest / Latest Publication Date |
| 1111.7(G) |
Nation of First Publication |
| 1111.7(H) |
File Name for the List |
| 1111.7(I) |
Titles of the Individual Works |
| 1111.7(J) |
Authors / Claimants |
| 1111.7(K) |
Anonymous and Pseudonymous Works |
| 1111.7(L) |
The Author's Country of Citizenship or Domicile |
| 1111.7(M) |
Limitation of Claim |
| 1111.7(N) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1111.7(O) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1111.7(P) |
Special Handling |
| 1111.7(Q) |
Certification |
| 1112 |
Group Registration of Database Updates and Revisions |
| 1112.1 |
What Is a Database? |
| 1112.2 |
The Scope of a Group Registration for a Database |
| 1112.3 |
The Scope of a Group Registration for a Photographic Database |
| 1112.4 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1112.5 |
Application Requirements |
| 1112.6 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1112.7 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1112.7(A) |
Databases That Do Not Consist Predominantly of Photographs |
| 1112.7(B) |
Databases That Predominantly Consist of Photographs |
| 1112.7(C) |
Descriptive Statement |
| 1112.8 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Databases |
| 1112.8(A) through 1112.8(F) |
Space 1: Title through Spaces 5 & 6: Previous Registration / Derivative Work or Compilation |
| 1112.8(G) |
Space 8: Certification |
| 1112.8(H) |
Spaces 7 & 9: Correspondent and Mailing Address for the Certificate |
| 1112.9 |
Effective Date of Registration for a Group of Revisions or Updates to a Database |
| 1112.10 |
Databases That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements |
| 1113 |
[Reserved] |
| 1114 |
Group Registration of Photographs |
| 1114.1 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1114.2 |
Application Requirements |
| 1114.3 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1114.4 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1114.4(A) |
Digital Photographs and Mandatory Title List |
| 1114.4(B) |
Submitting the Digital Files and Mandatory Title List |
| 1114.4(C) |
Special Relief from the Deposit Requirements |
| 1114.5 |
When May an Application for a Group Registration Be Filed? |
| 1114.6 |
Completing the Application: Group Registration of Photographs |
| 1114.6(A) |
Preparing the Title List |
| 1114.6(B) |
Type of Group |
| 1114.6(C) |
Title of the Group |
| 1114.6(D) |
Title and Publication Information for Each Photograph |
| 1114.6(E) |
Number of Photographs in the Group |
| 1114.6(F) |
Year of Completion |
| 1114.6(G) |
Earliest / Latest Publication Date |
| 1114.6(H) |
Nation of Publication |
| 1114.6(I) |
Identifying the Author of the Photographs |
| 1114.6(I)(1) |
Photos Shot by an Individual Photographer |
| 1114.6(I)(2) |
Photos Created as Works Made For Hire |
| 1114.6(I)(3) |
The Author's Country of Citizenship or Domicile |
| 1114.6(J) |
Identifying the Copyrightable Material that the Author Created |
| 1114.6(K) |
Identifying the Copyright Claimant |
| 1114.6(L) |
Rights and Permissions Information |
| 1114.6(M) |
Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration |
| 1114.6(N) |
Special Handling |
| 1114.6(O) |
Certification |
| 1114.7 |
Photographs That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements for GRUPH or GRPPH |
| 1115 |
[Reserved] |
| 1116 |
Serials, Newspapers, and Newsletters at a Glance |
| 1116.1 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1116.2 |
Application Requirements |
| 1116.3 |
Filing Fee Requirements |
| 1116.4 |
Deposit Requirements |
| 1116.6(A) |
Form VA |
| 1116.6(A)(1) through 1116.6(A)(6) |
Space 1: Title of this Work through Spaces 5 through 9 |
| 1116.6(B) |
Form GR/PPh/CON |
| 1116.6(B)(1) through 1116.6(B)(2) |
Space A: Identification of Author and Claimant through Spaces B & C: Copyright Registration for a Group of Published Photographs |
| 1117 |
Photographs at a Glance |
Chapter 1200
| Section |
Heading |
| 1210.2(B) |
Filing Fee |
| 1212.10 |
Space 11: Certification |
| 1212.10(A) through 1212.10(D) |
Signature Required through Certification Date |
| 1214 |
Submitting the Application, Filing Fee, and Identifying Material |
Chapter 1300
| Section |
Heading |
| 1302 |
Vessel Design Protection Distinguished from Copyright Protection |
| 1309.3 |
Name or Distinctive Identification of Owner |
| 1311.4 |
Filing Fees |
| 1313.1 |
Views and Use of Perspective |
| 1314 |
Submitting the Application, Filing Fee, and Deposit Material |
| 1317 |
Certificate of Correction for a Completed Registration |
Chapter 1400
| Section |
Heading |
| 1401 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 1402 |
Applications |
| 1402.1 |
Statutory Basis for the Application |
| 1402.2 |
Statutory Requirements for Applications |
| 1402.3 |
Types of Applications |
| 1402.4(A) through |
The Online Application through |
| 1402.4(C) |
Multiple Types of Works |
| 1402.5 |
Single Applications |
| 1402.6 |
Group Registration Applications |
| 1402.6(A) through 1402.6(D) |
Group Registration of Serials: Online Application / Form SE/Group through Group Registration of Published Photographs: Online Application / Form GR/PPh/CON |
| 1402.7 |
Supplementary Registration: Online Application/Form CA |
| 1402.8 |
Renewal Registration Applications: Form RE and RE/Addendum |
| 1402.9 |
GATT Registration Applications: Form GATT |
| 1402.10 |
Additional Information Regarding Paper Applications |
| 1402.10(A) through 1402.10(B) |
Quality and Legibility of the Application through Continuation Sheets: Form CON |
| 1403 |
The Standard Application |
| 1404 |
Paper Applications |
| 1405 |
The Single Application |
| 1405.1 |
Who May File the Single Application? |
| 1405.2 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1405.3 |
Works That Cannot Be Registered with the Single Application |
| 1405.4 |
The One Work Requirement |
| 1405.5 |
The One Author Requirement |
| 1405.6 |
The One Owner Requirement |
| 1405.7 |
Content Requirements |
| 1406 |
Group Registration Applications |
| 1406.1 |
Group Registration of Unpublished Works (GRUW) |
| 1406.2 |
Group Registration of Serials (GRSE) |
| 1406.3 |
Group Registration of Newspapers (GRNP) |
| 1406.4 |
Group Registration of Newsletters (GRNL) |
| 1406.5 |
Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals (GRCP) |
| 1406.6 |
Group Registration of Short Online Literary Works (GRTX) |
| 1406.7 |
Group Registration of Published Photographs (GRPPH) and Group Registration of Unpublished Photographs (GRUPH) |
| 1406.8 |
Group Registration of Database Updates or Revisions |
| 1406.9 |
Group Registration of Questions, Answers, and Other Items Prepared for Use in a Secure Test (GRSTQ) |
| 1407 |
Supplementary Registration: Online Application / Form CA |
| 1408 |
Renewal Registration Applications: Form RE and RE/Addendum |
| 1409 |
GATT Registration Applications: Form GATT |
| 1410 |
Preregistration |
| 1411 |
Waivers |
| 1412 |
Filing Fees |
| 1412.1 |
Statutory Basis for Setting Filing Fees |
| 1412.2 |
Where to Find Specific Filing Fee Information |
| 1412.3 |
Submitting Filing Fees |
| 1412.4 |
Acceptable Forms of Payment |
| 1412.5 |
Deposit Accounts |
| 1412.6 |
Refunds |
| 1412.7 |
Cancellation of Registration in Cases of Dishonored Checks |
| 1412.8 |
Special Handling Fees |
Chapter 1500
| Section |
Heading |
| 1504.1 |
Work Exempt from the Best Edition Requirement |
| 1506 |
Identifying Material |
| 1507.2 |
Electronic Format |
| 1508.1 |
Electronic Deposit Copy(ies) |
| 1508.2 |
Hard Copy Deposits |
| 1508.3 |
Submitting the Deposit by Mail or by Commercial Carrier |
| 1508.6 |
Screening Deposits for Anthrax and Other Contaminants |
| 1508.8(A) |
What Is Special Relief? |
| 1508.8(B) |
How to Request Special Relief |
| 1509.1 |
Deposit Requirements for Literary Works |
| 1509.1(A) |
Literary Monographs |
| 1509.1(B) |
Serials |
| 1509.1(C) |
Legal Publications |
| 1509.1(D) |
Book Jackets |
| 1509.1(E) |
Games |
| 1509.1(F) |
Computer Programs |
| 1509.1(F)(1) |
Source Code |
| 1509.1(F)(2) |
Derivative Computer Programs |
| 1509.1(F)(3) |
Source Code That Does Not Contain Trade Secret Material |
| 1509.1(F)(4) |
Source Code That Contains Trade Secret Material |
| 1509.1(F)(4)(a) |
Background |
| 1509.1(F)(4)(b) |
Computer Programs That Contain Trade Secret Material |
| 1509.1(F)(4)(c) |
Derivative Computer Programs That Contain Trade Secret Material |
| 1509.1(F)(4)(d) |
Appropriate Method for Blocking Out Source Code That Contains Trade Secret Material |
| 1509.1(F)(4)(e) |
Special Relief for Computer Programs Containing Trade Secrets |
| 1509.1(F)(5) |
Computer Programs Fixed in a CD-ROM |
| 1509.1(F)(6) |
Computer Screen Displays |
| 1509.1(F)(7) |
User Manuals and Other Documentation for a Computer Program |
| 1509.1(G) through 1509.1(I) |
Databases through Instructional Works |
| 1509.1(J) |
Tests and Answer Material for Tests |
| 1509.1(K) |
Deposit Requirements for Group Registration Options |
| 1509.1(L) |
Foreign Literary Works |
| 1509.1(M) |
GATT Literary Works |
| 1509.1(N) |
Deposit Requirements for Literary Works: At a Glance |
| 1509.2 |
Deposit Requirements for Works of the Performing Arts |
| 1509.2(A) |
Musical Works |
| 1509.2(A)(2)(a) |
Musical Works Published in the United States in Phonorecords |
| 1509.2(A)(2)(b) |
Musical Works Published in the United States in Printed Copies |
| 1509.2(A)(2)(c) |
Musical Works First Published in a Foreign Country |
| 1509.2(B) |
Sound Recordings |
| 1509.2(B)(4) |
Sound Recordings First Published in a Foreign Country |
| 1509.2(E) |
Audiovisual Works |
| 1509.2(F) |
Motion Pictures |
| 1509.2(F)(2)(a) |
Motion Pictures Published in the United States on or After January 1, 1978 |
| 1509.2(F)(3) |
Motion Pictures Contained in Formats That Cannot Be Viewed by the U.S. Copyright Office |
| 1509.2(G) |
Deposit Requirements for Group Registration Options |
| 1509.2(H) |
Foreign Works of the Performing Arts |
| 1509.2(I) |
GATT Works of the Performing Arts |
| 1509.2(J) |
Registration Deposit Requirements for Works of the Performing Arts: At a Glance |
| 1509.3 |
Visual Arts Works |
| 1509.3(A)(2) |
Published Works |
| 1509.3(A)(4) |
Works Reproduced in Sheet-like Materials |
| 1509.3(A)(12) |
Deposit Requirements for Group Registration Options |
| 1509.3(B)(1) |
Identifying Material Required |
| 1509.3(B)(2) |
Actual Copy(ies) Permitted in Some Exceptional Cases |
| 1509.3(D) |
Architectural Works |
| 1509.3(E)(3) |
GATT Visual Arts Works |
| 1509.3(F) |
Registration Deposit Requirements for Visual Arts Works: At a Glance |
| 1510 |
Storage of Deposits |
| 1510.1 |
Deposit Storage |
| 1511.6 |
Mandatory Deposit for Electronic Serials |
| 1511.7(D) |
Certificate of Receipt |
| 1511.8 |
Mandatory Deposit Requirements for Specific Categories of Works |
| 1511.8(A) |
Literary Monographs |
| 1511.8(B) |
Serials Published in a Physical Format |
| 1511.8(C) |
Published Newspapers |
| 1511.8(D) |
Computer Programs and Computerized Information Works |
| 1511.8(E) |
Musical Works |
| 1511.8(F) |
Motion Pictures |
| 1511.8(G) |
Published Multimedia Kits |
| 1511.8(H) |
Limited Edition Visual Arts Works |
| 1511.8(I) |
Globes and Other Three-Dimensional Cartographic Works |
| 1511.8(J) |
Architectural Works |
Chapter 1600
| Section |
Heading |
| 1601 |
What this Chapter Covers |
| 1603 |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1604.1 |
Preregistration is a Temporary 'Placeholder' for an Actual Registration |
| 1604.2 |
Uses of Preregistration |
| 1605 |
Preregistration for a Sound Recording Distinguished from a Preregistration for a Musical Composition |
| 1606 |
Completing the Application |
| 1606.2 |
Type of Work |
| 1606.4 |
Author |
| 1606.10 |
Filing Fee |
| 1609 |
Effective Date of Preregistration |
Chapter 1700
| Section |
Heading |
| 1702 |
Registration Refused After Examination |
| 1705 |
Registration Decision Date and Effective Date of Registration |
| 1708.1 |
Filing Fees |
Chapter 1800
| Section |
Heading |
| 1802.4 |
Records That Cannot Be Corrected or Amplified with a Supplementary Registration |
| 1802.7(B) |
Ownership Issues |
| 1802.7(C) |
Publication Issues |
| 1802.8 |
Completing the Application |
| 1802.8(A) |
Completing the Online Application |
| 1802.8(A)(1) |
Eligibility Requirements |
| 1802.8(A)(3) |
Identifying the Work(s) Covered by the Basic Registration |
| 1802.8(A)(4) |
Correcting and/or Amplifying the Basic Registration |
| 1802.8(B) |
Completing Form CA |
| 1802.8(B)(5) |
Space F: Contact Information |
| 1802.8(B)(6) |
Space G: Certification |
| 1802.8(C) |
Filing Fee |
| 1802.8(D) |
Copy of the Certificate of Registration for the Basic Registration |
| 1802.8(E) |
Deposit Copy(ies) Not Required |
| 1802.9(B) |
Identifying the Basic Registration |
| 1802.9(C) |
Examination of the Certificate of Registration for the Basic Registration |
| 1802.9(F) |
Certification Requirements |
| 1802.12 |
Registration Decision Date and Effective Date of Supplementary Registration |
| 1803 |
New Application for a New Basic Registration |
| 1805.2 |
Filing Fees |
| 1807.4(A) |
Registrations Issued in the Wrong Class or Series |
| 1807.4(B) |
Registrations Cancelled for Failure to Pay the Filing Fee |
| 1807.4(D) |
Registrations Cancelled for Substantive Defects in Registration |
| 1807.4(E) |
Voluntary Cancellation |
Chapter 1900
| Section |
Heading |
| 1901 |
What This Chapter Covers |
| 1905 |
Distribution of Copies or Phonorecords of a Work |
| 1905.1 |
Distribution to the Public |
| 1906.1 |
Offering to Distribute Copies or Phonorecords to a Group of Persons |
Chapter 2000
| Section |
Heading |
| 2004.1 |
Multilateral Treaties |
| 2007.2(A) |
Form GATT |
| 2007.2(A)(1) |
Who May File Form GATT? |
| 2007.2(A)(2) |
Author of a Restored Work |
| 2007.2(A)(3) |
Publication of a Restored Work |
| 2007.2(A)(4) |
Owner of U.S. Copyright in a Restored Work |
| 2007.2(B) |
Filing Fees |
Chapter 2100
| Section |
Heading |
| 2101 |
What this Chapter Covers |
| 2102 |
Copyright Renewal |
| 2103 |
Intent, Purpose, and Impact on Renewal Registration |
| 2111.2 |
Complete Filing Fee |
| 2112.2 |
Two Filing Fees—One for Each Form |
| 2112.3 |
Deposit Material Required |
| 2115.3(C) |
Revisions / New Material in a Derivative Work |
| 2115.4 |
Author Information |
| 2115.4(C) |
Nationality and Domicile |
| 2115.5(B) |
Determining the Party in Whom the Renewal Copyright Vested |
| 2115.7 |
Certification Required |
| 2116.2 |
Author Information |
| 2116.2(A) |
Name of Eligible Author |
| 2116.5(A) |
Deposit Requirement |
| 2116.5(B) |
Alternative Deposit Material |
| 2116.5(B)(1) |
Identical to the Complete Work as First Published |
| 2116.5(E) |
Based on First Publication |
| 2118.7 |
Text and Illustrations Owned Separately for the Renewal Term |
| 2122.5 |
Sound Recordings |
| 2131 |
Corrected Original Registration Records |
| 2138 |
Correcting and / or Amplifying Information in a Renewal Registration Record |
| Part VIII – Definition of “Unpublished collection” |
Glossary of Terms |
Chapter 2200
| Section |
Heading |
| 2203.3 |
Phonorecords |
| 2205.1(C) |
Antedated Notice: Date in the Notice Earlier than the Actual Year of First Publication |
| 2205.1(D) |
Postdated Notice: Date in the Notice Later than the Actual Year of First Publication |
| 2207 |
Location and Placement of the Notice |
| 2207.1(A) |
Literary Works Published in Book Form |
| 2207.1(B) |
Single Leaf Works |
| 2207.1(E) |
Periodicals or Other Serials |
| 2207.2 |
Contributions to Collective Works |
| 2207.3(A) |
Musical Works Embodied in Copies |
| 2207.6 |
Motion Pictures and Other Audiovisual Works |
| 2207.7 |
Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works |
| 2207.7(A) |
Works of Unusual Size or Characteristics |
| 2207.7(B) |
Works Consisting of Sheet-Like or Strip Material |
| 2207.7(C) |
Works with Separable Parts Published in a Permanent Container |
| 2207.9 |
Works Published in Machine-Readable Copies |
| 2209.2 |
Restricted Notice |
Chapter 2300
| Section |
Heading |
| 2309.11(B) |
The Fee for Additional Titles |
| 2309.14 |
Return Receipts for Transfers of Ownership or Other Documents Pertaining to Copyright |
| 2310.7(D) |
The Filing Fee Requirement |
Chapter 2400
| Section |
Heading |
| 2403 |
Contact Information for RRCS |
| 2405.2 |
Restricted Records |
| 2406.2(C) |
Search Fees |
| 2407.1(D)(2) |
Deposits |
| 2407.6 |
Inspection and Copying Fees |
| 2408.3 |
Fees for Additional Certificates of Registration or Renewal |
| 2409.4 |
Certification Fees |
| 2410.3 |
Full-Term Retention Fees |
| 2411.3 |
Fees for Expedited Service |
Glossary
| Page |
Heading |
| 1 |
Introduction |
| 1 |
1976 Copyright Act |
| 1 |
Applied art |
| 4 |
Copies |
| 4 |
Daily newsletter |
| 6 |
Design of a useful article |
| 6 |
EIDR |
| 7 |
Entertainment Identifier Registry |
| 8 |
Form CO |
| 8 |
Form G/DN |
| 8 |
Form GATT/CON |
| 8 |
Form GP/PPh/CON |
| 8 |
Form SE |
| 8 |
Form SE/Group |
| 9 |
Group registration |
| 10 |
Immaterial variance |
| 10 |
International Standard Audiovisual Number ('ISAN') |
| 10 |
International Standard Book Number ('ISBN') |
| 10 |
International Standard Music Number ('ISMN') |
| 11 |
International Standard Musical Work Code ('ISWC') |
| 11 |
International Standard Recording Code ('ISRC') |
| 11 |
International Standard Serial Number ('ISSN') |
| 11 |
International Standard Text Code ('ISTC') |
| 11 |
Licensing Division |
| 12 |
Literary monograph |
| 13 |
Material Variance |
| 13 |
Newspaper |
| 13 |
Newsletter |
| 14 |
Periodical |
| 15 |
Phonorecords |
| 18 |
Secure test |
| 18 |
Secure test item |
| 19 |
Separability |
| 19 |
Serial |
| 19 |
Short online literary work |
| 22 |
Variance |
| 24 |
World Intellectual Property Organization ('WIPO') |