COMPENDIU M Chapter 1300 Vessel Design s · PDF fileCOMPENDIUM OF U. S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE PRACTICES, Third Edition Chapter 1300 : 6 09/29/2017 1303.3 Make Public A vessel design is

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C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter1300

VesselDesigns Contents

1301 WhatThisChapterCovers.................................................................................................................................................5

1302 VesselDesignProtectionDistinguishedfromCopyrightProtection..............................................................5

1303 Definitions.................................................................................................................................................................................5

1303.1 Deck.............................................................................................................................................................................................5

1303.2 Hull...............................................................................................................................................................................................5

1303.3 MakePublic..............................................................................................................................................................................6

1303.4 Mold.............................................................................................................................................................................................6

1303.5 Original.......................................................................................................................................................................................6

1303.6 Plug..............................................................................................................................................................................................6

1303.7 UsefulArticle...........................................................................................................................................................................6

1303.8 Vessel..........................................................................................................................................................................................6

1304 ProtectableVesselDesigns................................................................................................................................................6

1304.1 OriginalityRequirement.....................................................................................................................................................7

1304.2 FixationRequirement..........................................................................................................................................................7

1304.3 Revision,Adaptation,orRearrangement....................................................................................................................7

1304.4 RegistrationRequirementandMakingPublicRequirement..............................................................................7

1305 IneligibleDesigns...................................................................................................................................................................7

1305.1 NoRetroactiveProtection..................................................................................................................................................7

1305.2 UnoriginalDesigns................................................................................................................................................................7

1305.3 IneligibleVehiclesandOtherUsefulArticles............................................................................................................8

1305.4 DesignsMadePublicMoreThanTwoYearsPriortoApplicationforRegistration..................................8

1305.5 DesignsProtectedbyDesignPatents............................................................................................................................8

1306 TermofProtection................................................................................................................................................................9

1306.1 TermofProtectionforDesignsRegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice..................................................9

1306.2 TermofProtectionforDesignsRegisteredinaForeignTerritory:PriorityClaims...............................9

1307 ExclusiveRightsofOwner.................................................................................................................................................9

1308 OwnershipinVesselDesigns............................................................................................................................................9

1308.1 AllowableTransfers,Grants,Conveyances,andMortgages.............................................................................10

This redline compares the Compendium (Third) released December 22, 2014, and the Compendium (Third) released September 29, 2017.

C O M P E N D I U M O F U . S . C O P Y R I G H T O F F I C E P R A C T I C E S , Third Edition

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1308.2 DiscretionaryRecordationofTransfers...................................................................................................................10

1309 VesselDesignNotice..........................................................................................................................................................10

1309.1 NoticeIsMandatory..........................................................................................................................................................10

1309.2 RequiredNoticeElements..............................................................................................................................................10

1309.3 NameorDistinctiveIdentificationofOwner..........................................................................................................11

1309.4 PlacementofNotice...........................................................................................................................................................11

1310 ImportanceofRegistration............................................................................................................................................12

1310.1 RegistrationRequiredforTen-YearProtection....................................................................................................12

1310.2 BenefitsofRegistration....................................................................................................................................................12

1311 RegistrationProcedures..................................................................................................................................................12

1311.1 RequiredElementsforRegistration...........................................................................................................................12

1311.2 WhoMayFiletheApplication?.....................................................................................................................................13

1311.3 FormD-VH.............................................................................................................................................................................13

1311.4 FilingFees..............................................................................................................................................................................14

1311.5 DepositMaterial..................................................................................................................................................................14

1312 CompletingtheApplication............................................................................................................................................14

1312.1 Space1:Title.........................................................................................................................................................................14

1312.2 Space2:Design....................................................................................................................................................................15

1312.2(A) Space2A:TypeorStyle....................................................................................................................................................15

1312.2(B) Space2B:SalientFeatures..............................................................................................................................................15

1312.2(C) Space2C:PriorDesigns...................................................................................................................................................16

1312.3 Space3:IdentifytheDesigner.......................................................................................................................................16

1312.4 Space4:IdentifytheOwnerifDifferentfromtheDesigner.............................................................................16

1312.5 Space5:PriorityClaims...................................................................................................................................................16

1312.6 Space6:DateMadePublic..............................................................................................................................................17

1312.7 Space7:ContactPerson...................................................................................................................................................17

1312.8 Space8:DepositAccountInformation......................................................................................................................18

1312.9 Space9:CertificationandSwornStatements.........................................................................................................18

1312.9(A) Space9:LocationofDesignNotice.............................................................................................................................18

1312.9(B) Space9:CertificateMailingAddress..........................................................................................................................18

1313 DepositMaterial..................................................................................................................................................................18



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1313.1 ViewsandUseofPerspective........................................................................................................................................19

1313.2 PhotographicDepositRequirements.........................................................................................................................19

1313.3 DrawingDepositRequirements...................................................................................................................................19

1313.4 UseofBrokenLinesinDrawings.................................................................................................................................20

1314 SubmittingtheApplication,FilingFee,andDepositMaterial.........................................................................20

1315 PublicationofRegistrationCertificateandEffectiveDateofRegistration................................................20

1316 ReconsiderationofRefusaltoRegister.....................................................................................................................21

1317 CertificateofCorrectionforaCompletedRegistration......................................................................................21



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C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter1300

VesselDesigns 1301 What This Chapter Covers

ThisChapterprovidesinformationontheU.S.CopyrightOffice’spracticesandproceduresforexaminingandregisteringclaimstovesseldesignsandforrecordingdocumentsrelatedtothem.VesseldesignsareprotectedpursuanttotheVesselHullDesignProtectionActof1998(“VHDPA”),asamendedbytheVesselHullDesignProtectionAmendmentsof2008,andcodifiedasChapter13oftheCopyrightAct.

1302 Vessel Design Protection Distinguished from Copyright Protection

Vesseldesignprotectionisnotaformofcopyrightprotection.CongressenactedtheVHDPAtoprovideanew,separateformofspecialprotectionforvesseldesignsinresponsetotheneedsoftheboatindustry,notasanamendmenttothecopyrightlaw.Thelegalrequirementsforvesseldesignprotectiondifferfromthoseforcopyrightprotectionintermsofeligibilityforprotection,ownershiprights,registrationprocedures,termofprotection,andremediesforrightsviolations.

Vesseldesigns—theoverallshapeandformofawatercraft’sdeckorhull—areusefularticlesand,assuch,cannotbeprotectedbycopyrightlaw.SeeSection1303.7.PurelyoOrnamentaltwo-andthree-dimensionaldecorationsonorinthesurfacesofthedeckorhullmightbecopyrightable,butthedeckandhullthemselvesarenot.

Chapter13ofTitle17doesnotprovide,extend,orlimitcopyrightprotectionfordrawings,models,orstatuariesofvessels.Formoreinformationonprotectionforornamentaldesigns,drawings,andothervisualartsworks,seeChapter900.Forageneraldiscussionofusefularticles,seeChapter900,Section924.

1303 Definitions

1303.1 Deck

A“deck”is“thehorizontalsurfaceofavesselthatcoversthehull,includingexteriorcabinandcockpitsurfaces,andexclusiveofmasts,sails,yards,rigging,hardware,fixtures,andotherattachments.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(7).

1303.2 Hull

A“hull”is“theexteriorframeorbodyofavessel,exclusiveofthedeck,superstructure,masts,sails,yards,rigging,hardware,fixtures,andotherattachments.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(4).



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1303.3 Make Public

Avesseldesignismadepublic“whenanexistingusefularticleembodyingthedesignisanywherepubliclyexhibited,publiclydistributed,orofferedforsaleorsoldtothepublicbytheownerofthedesignorwiththeowner’sconsent.”17U.S.C.§1310(b).

1303.4 Mold

A“mold”is“amatrixorforminwhichasubstanceformaterialisused,regardlessofwhetherthematrixorformhasanintrinsicutilitarianfunctionthatisnotonlytoportraytheappearanceoftheproductortoconveyinformation.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(6).

1303.5 Original

Avesseldesignis“original”if“itistheresultofthedesigner’screativeendeavorthatprovidesadistinguishablevariationoverpriorworkpertainingtosimilararticleswhichismorethantrivialandhasnotbeencopiedfromanothersource.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(1).

1303.6 Plug

A“plug”is“adeviceormodelusedtomakeamoldforthepurposeofexactduplication,regardlessofwhetherthedeviceormodelhasanintrinsicutilitarianfunctionthatisnotonlytoportraytheappearanceoftheproductortoconveyinformation.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(5).

1303.7 Useful Article

A“usefularticle”is“avesselhullordeck,includingaplugormold,whichinnormalusehasanintrinsicutilitarianfunctionthatisnotmerelytoportraytheappearanceofthearticleortoconveyinformation.Anarticlewhichnormallyispartofausefularticleshallbedeemedtobeausefularticle.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(2).

1303.8 Vessel

Avesselis“acraftthatisdesignedandcapableofindependentlysteeringacourseonorthroughwaterthroughitsownmeansofpropulsion;andthatisdesignedandcapableofcarryingandtransportingoneormorepassengers.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(3).

1304 Protectable Vessel Designs

Chapter13ofTitle17protectsoriginaldesignsforvesselsthataredesignedandcapableof(i)independentlysteeringacourseonorthroughwaterthroughitsownmeansofpropulsion,and(ii)carryingandtransportingoneormorepassengers.17U.S.C.§1301.Specifically,Chapter13protectstheoriginaldesignoftheshapeofavesselhull,deck,oracombinationofthetwo,whichmakesthearticleinwhichthedesignisincorporatedattractiveordistinctiveinappearancetothepurchasingorusingpublic.17U.S.C.§1301(a)(1).Thisprotectionincludesaplugormold.17U.S.C.§1301(a)(2).Designersareallowedtheoptionofprotectingthehullalone,thedeckalone,orthehullandthedeckincombination.



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1304.1 Originality Requirement

Tobeoriginal,avesseldesignmustbetheresultofthedesigner’screativeendeavorprovidingadistinguishablevariationoverpriorwork,andthatvariationmustbe“morethanmerelytrivial”andnot“copiedfromanothersource.”17U.S.C.§1301(b)(1).

1304.2 Fixation Requirement

Anoriginalvesseldesignmustbeembodiedinanactualvessel.Thelawdoesnotprotectvesseldesignsthatexistonlyinmodels,drawings,orrepresentations.See17U.S.C.§1302(5).

1304.3 Revision, Adaptation, or Rearrangement

Protectionisavailableforadesignthatisasubstantialrevision,adaptation,orrearrangementofpreexistingorineligibledesignaspectsormatter.Protectionforasubstantialrevision,adaptation,orrearrangementdoesnotextendtoanysubsistingprotectioninsubjectmatteremployedinthedesign.17U.S.C.§1303.

1304.4 Registration Requirement and Making Public Requirement

AnoriginalvesseldesignisnotprotecteduntilitismadepublicoruntiltheU.S.CopyrightOfficepublishesaregistrationforthedesign,whicheverdateisearlier.

Ifadesignismadepublic,anapplicationforregistrationmustbefilednolaterthantwoyearsfromthedateonwhichthedesignwasmadepublicforthedesigntoretainprotection.17U.S.C.§1302(5).

Makingadesignpublicincludespubliclyexhibitingit,distributingit,offeringitforsale,orsellingittothepublic,whetherinsideoroutsideoftheUnitedStates,withthedesignowner’sconsent.17U.S.C.§1310(b).

VesseldesignsthathavenotbeenmadepublicmaybeprotectedunderChapter13ofTitle17,providedthattheOfficehasregisteredthedesign.

1305 Ineligible Designs

1305.1 No Retroactive Protection

ProtectionextendsonlytovesseldesignsmadepubliconorafterOctober28,1998,theeffectivedateoftheVHDPA.See17U.S.C.§1332.TheVHDPAdoesnotprotectdesignsmadepublicbeforethatdate.

1305.2 Unoriginal Designs

Protectiondoesnotextendtoanyvesseldesignthatis:



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• Notoriginal.

• Stapleorcommonplace,suchasastandardgeometricfigure,afamiliarsymbol,anemblem,oramotif,oranothershape,pattern,orconfigurationwhichhasbecomestandard,common,prevalent,orordinary.

• Differentfromastapleorcommonplacedesign,suchasastandardgeometricfigure,afamiliarsymbol,anemblem,oramotif,oranothershape,pattern,orconfigurationwhichhasbecomestandard,common,prevalent,orordinaryonlyininsignificantdetailsorinelementswhicharevariantscommonlyusedintherelevanttrades.

• Dictatedsolelybyautilitarianfunctionofthearticlethatembodiesit.

17U.S.C.§1302(1)-(4).

1305.3 Ineligible Vehicles and Other Useful Articles

Protectiondoesnotextendtoanyvesseldesignthatisnotembodiedina“vessel,”suchas:

• Seaplanes

• Paddleboards

• Surfboards

• Barges

• Floatablemilitaryshootingtargets

1305.4 Designs Made Public More Than Two Years Prior to Application for Registration

Avesseldesignmustberegisteredwithintwoyearsofbeingmadepublicoritwillloseprotectionbecauseadesignthatisembodiedinavessel“thatwasmadepublicbythedesignerorownerintheUnitedStatesoraforeigncountrymorethantwoyearsbeforethedateofapplicationforregistration”ofthedesignisineligibleforprotection.17U.S.C.§1302(5).

1305.5 Designs Protected by Design Patents

VesseldesignsmaynotbeprotectedunderChapter13ofTitle17iftheyhavedesignpatentprotectionunderTitle35oftheUnitedStatesCode.17U.S.C.§1329.VesseldesignprotectionunderChapter13ceasesifandwhenaU.S.designpatentisissuedforthedesign.



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1306 Term of Protection

1306.1 Term of Protection for Designs Registered with the U.S. Copyright Office

Protectionforaregisteredvesseldesignlaststenyearsfromtheearlierof(i)thedatearegistrationispublishedbytheU.S.CopyrightOffice,or(ii)thedatethedesignwasfirst“madepublic,”whicheverisearliest.17U.S.C.§§1304,1305(a).Thetermofprotectionlastsuntiltheendofthecalendaryearinwhichitexpires.17U.S.C.§1305(b).AsnotedinSection1305.5,protectionmayterminateearlierifadesignpatentisissuedbeforetheten-yeartermexpires.

1306.2 Term of Protection for Designs Registered in a Foreign Territory: Priority Claims

IfanapplicationismadetoregisterthesamedesignbyoronbehalfofthesameownerinaforeignjurisdictionthatprovidessimilarprotectiontoU.S.citizens,thatfilinghasthesameeffectasiftheapplicationisfiledintheUnitedStatesonthedateoftheforeignfiling,providedthattheU.S.applicationisfiledwithinsixmonthsoftheearliestdateofanysuchforeignfiling.17U.S.C.§1311.

1307 Exclusive Rights of Owner

Duringthetermofprotection,thevesseldesignownerhastheexclusiverightsto:

• Make,havemade,orimport,forsaleorforuseintrade,anyusefularticleembodyingthatdesign;and

• Sellordistributeforsaleorforuseintradeanyusefularticleembodyingthatdesign.

17U.S.C.§1308.

AvesseldesignownermayinitiateanactionforinfringementoftheserightsprovidedthattheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasissuedacertificateofregistrationforthedesign.17U.S.C.§§1309,1321(a).

1308 Ownership in Vessel Designs

Theintellectualpropertyrightinavesseldesignvestsinoneofthefollowing:

• Thedesigner;

• Thedesigner’slegalrepresentative(s),ifthedesignerisdeceasedorlegallyincapacitated;

• Ifthedesignwasmadewithintheregularscopeofthedesigner'semployment,theemployerforwhomthedesignercreatedthedesign;or

• Apersontowhomtherightsofthedesignerorofsuchemployerhavebeentransferred.



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Thepersoninwhomthepropertyrightvestsisconsideredtheownerofthedesign.

17U.S.C.§1320(a).

1308.1 Allowable Transfers, Grants, Conveyances, and Mortgages

Therightsinaprotectabledesignmaybeassigned,granted,conveyed,ormortgagedbytheownertoanotherpersonorentity.Suchanassignment,grant,conveyanceormortgagemustbeinawritingthatissignedbytheowner,oritmaybebequeathedbywill.17U.S.C.§1320(b).

1308.2 Discretionary Recordation of Transfers

Althoughrecordationoftransfersisnotaconditionforprotection,thefirsttransferofownershipshallbevoidagainstasubsequentpurchaserormortgageewhoobtainedthetransferforvaluableconsideration,unlessthefirsttransferisrecordedwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficewithinthreemonthsafteritisexecutedorbeforethedateofasubsequentpurchaseormortgage.17U.S.C.§1320(d).

ThesameconditionsandproceduresforrecordingtransfersofcopyrightownershipandotherdocumentspertainingtocopyrightapplytotherecordationofdocumentspertainingtovesseldesignprotectionunderChapter13.Formoreinformationonhowtorecordsuchdocuments,seeChapter2300,Section2309.

1309 Vessel Design Notice

1309.1 Notice Is Mandatory

Noticeonavesseldesignismandatory.Onceadesignhasbeenmadepublic,a“notice”ofdesignprotectionmustbeplacedonallvesselsthatembodythedesign.17U.S.C.§1306(a).Thedesignnoticemustbeaffixedtoalocationonthevesselinamannerthatprovides“reasonablenotice,”asdescribedbelowinSection1309.4,thatthevesselcontainsaprotecteddesign.17U.S.C.§1306(b).

1309.2 Required Notice Elements

Theelementsofadesignnoticemustconsistofthefollowing:

• Thewords“ProtectedDesign”,theabbreviation“Prot’dDes.”,thesymbol (i.e.,theletter“D”inacircle),orthesymbol“*D*”;

• Theyearinwhichprotectionforthedesigncommenced;and

• Thenameoftheowner,anabbreviationbywhichtheownercanberecognized,oragenerallyacceptedalternativedesignationoftheowner.

Forregistereddesigns,theregistrationnumbermaybeusedinplaceofboth(i)theyearinwhichprotectionforthedesigncommenced,and(ii)thenameoftheownerora



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generallyacceptedalternativedesignationoftheowner.17U.S.C.§1306(a);37C.F.R.§212.4(b).

1309.3 Name or Distinctive Identification of Owner

Adistinctiveidentificationoftheownermaybesubstitutedfortheactualnameoftheowner,providedthatthedistinctiveidentificationisrecordedwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficepriortoregistrationofthedesignmarkedwiththedistinctiveidentification.37C.F.R.§212.4(c).

TorecordadistinctiveidentificationofanownerofavesseldesignwiththeOffice,theapplicantmustsubmitadocumentthatcontainsthefollowinginformation:

• Thenameandaddressoftheowner;

• Astatementoftheownerthatsheorheisentitledtousethedistinctiveidentification;

• Astatementordescriptionoftheidentification;and

• Therecordationfilingfee.

37C.F.R.§212.5.ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“RecordationofDocuments.”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthisfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.

Thedocumentandfeeshouldbemailedtothefollowingaddress:

LibraryofCongressU.S.CopyrightOffice–DOC101IndependenceAvenueSEWashington,DC20559

1309.4 Placement of Notice

Avesseldesignnoticemustbe“locatedandappliedastogivereasonablenoticeofdesignprotection”whilethevessel“ispassingthroughitsnormalchannelsofcommerce.”17U.S.C.§1306(b);37C.F.R.§212.4(a)(1).Further,thenoticemustbe“legibleundernormalconditionsofuse,andaffixedinsuchamannerandpositionthat,whenaffixed,itmaybevieweduponreasonableexamination.”Thenoticedoesnotneedtobepermanentlyembossedorengravedintothevesselhullordeck,provideditisaffixedinamannerthatitisnotlikelytobecomeunattachedorillegibleundernormalconditionsofuse.37C.F.R.§212.4(a)(2).



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Examplesofacceptablenoticelocationsinclude:

• Incloseproximitytothehullidentificationnumber;

• Incloseproximitytothedriver'shelmconsolesuchthatitisinplainviewfromtheconsole;

• Ifthevesselistwentyfeetinlengthoverallorless,incloseproximitytothecapacitymarkingplateornotice;or

• Incloseproximitytothemakeand/ormodeldesignationofthevessel.

37C.F.R.§212.4(d).

1310 Importance of Registration

1310.1 Registration Required for Ten-Year Protection

Tosecureprotectionofavesseldesignfortheentireten-yearterm,ownersmustfileanapplicationtoregisterthedesignwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficewithintwoyearsofthedateonwhichthedesignwasfirst“madepublic.”Otherwise,protectionunderChapter13willbelost.17U.S.C.§1310(a)-(b).Forexample,aclaiminavesseldesignthatwasfirstmadepubliconOctober31,2013mustbereceivedintheOfficepriortooronOctober31,2015tobeprotected.

1310.2 Benefits of Registration

AftertheU.S.CopyrightOfficeissuesacertificateofregistration,theownerofthevesseldesignortheexclusivelicenseeofallrightsinthevesseldesignmayinstituteacivilactionforinfringement,providedtheinfringementoccurredafterthecommencementofthetermofprotection.17U.S.C.§1321(a).

Further,acertificateofregistrationforavesseldesignissuedbytheOfficeconstitutesprimafacieevidenceofthefactsstatedinthecertificate.17U.S.C.§1314.

1311 Registration Procedures

TherequiredelementsforregistrationofvesseldesignsaresetforthinSection1311.1below.See17U.S.C.§1310;37C.F.R.§212.3(b).

1311.1 Required Elements for Registration

Anapplicationtoregisteravesseldesignmustcontainthefollowingelements:

• AcompletedpaperapplicationusingFormD-VH;

• Anonrefundablefilingfee;and

• Depositmaterial.



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1311.2 Who May File the Application?

Anapplicationtoregisteraclaiminavesseldesignmaybefiledby(i)theownerorownersofthedesign,or(ii)thedulyauthorizedagentorrepresentativeoftheownerorownersofthedesign.17U.S.C.§1310(c),(e);37C.F.R.§212.3(c).

1311.3 Form D-VH

ApplicantsmustuseFormD-VHtoregisteraclaiminavesseldesignandmustuseFormD-VH/CONtoprovideadditionalinformation,ifnecessary.AsingleFormD-VHmaycoveroneormoredesignsonasinglemakeormodelofavessel,buttheapplicantmustuseaseparatecontinuationFormD-VH/CONforeachoftherelateddesigns.Anapplicantmustsubmitseparateapplicationstoregistermultipledesignsthatarecontainedondifferentmakesandmodelsofavessel.

FormD-VHmayonlybeusedtoregisteraclaiminavesseldesign.Itcannotbeusedtoregisteraclaiminanyothertypeofwork.

Examples:

• TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillrefuseaclaimin“technicaldrawings”ofavesselfiledonFormD-VH.Aseparatecopyrightclaimindrawingsmayberecommended.Formoreinformationonthecopyrightabilityandregistrabilityofclaimsindrawings,seeChapter900,Section922.

• TheOfficewillrefuseaclaimin“boatdesign”filedonFormVAandwillinquirewhetheraclaimbasedon“vesseldesign”maybefiledonFormD-VH.

• TheOfficewillrefuseaclaimforanauticalormaritime“furnituredesign”filedonFormD-VH.Aseparateregistrationforacopyrightclaiminfurnituredesignmayberecommended.Formoreinformationontheregistrationofcopyrightclaimsinthedesignofausefularticles,seeChapter900,Section924.

• TheOfficewillrefuseaFormD-VHthatclaimsin“vesseldesign,technicaldrawings,andadvertisingphotos.”TheOfficewilllimittheFormD-VHtoanyeligiblevesseldesignshowninthedrawingsandphotographs.Aseparateregistrationforacopyrightclaiminthedrawingsandphotographsmayberecommended.Formoreinformationontheregistrationofcopyrightclaimsindrawingsandphotographs,seeChapter900,Section909and922.

FormsD-VHandD-VH/CONarebothavailableontheU.S.CopyrightOffice’swebsite.atwww.copyright.gov/forms/formdvh.pdf,andwww.copyright.gov/forms/formdvhcon.pdf.

ApplicantsalsomayrequestahardcopyoftheseformsfromtheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sPublicInformationOfficeasfollows:



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• Bytelephone:(202)707-9100.

• InPerson:JamesMadisonBuilding,PublicInformationOffice,RoomLM-401,MondaythroughFriday,betweenthehoursof8:30a.m.–5:00p.m.EasternTime,exceptonfederalholidays.

• ByU.S.Mail:LibraryofCongress,U.S.CopyrightOffice,101IndependenceAvenue,SE,WashingtonDC20559-6000.

AllformssubmittedtotheOfficemustbeclearandlegibleandsuitableforautomaticfeedingthroughaphotocopier.TheOfficewillreturnformsthatdonotmeetthisrequirement.

ForinformationoncompletingFormD-VH,seeSection1312below.

1311.4 Filing Fees

ThecurrentfilingfeeissetforthintheOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormD-VH(vesselhulldesigns).”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).

Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthisfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.

1311.5 Deposit Material

Theapplicantmustsubmitdepositwiththeapplication,consistingofphotographsordrawingsthatcontainalloftheclaimedaspectsofthevesseldesign.

ForinformationconcerningthedepositrequirementsseeSection1313below.

1312 Completing the Application

TheU.S.CopyrightOfficeevaluatesvesseldesignapplicationsforcompletenessandsufficiencyoftherequiredelements.Fordetailedinformationontheregistrationofvesseldesigns,see17U.S.C.§§1310-1315andtheregulationsonvesseldesignsin37C.F.R.Part212.

1312.1 Space 1: Title

Thetitleofavesseldesigniscomprisedofthemakeandmodelofthevessel.Inspace1,applicantsmustprovidethemakeandmodelofthevesselthatembodiestheclaimeddesign.Thisinformationisusedtoidentifyandcatalogthedesign.

Themakeandmodelinformationtypicallyconsistsofthefollowing:

• Thenameofthemanufacturer.

• Themodelidentification,includinganydescriptiveinformation,suchasthegeneralcategorizationortypeofthevesselthatisusefultoidentifythevessel.



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Ifadesignisembodiedinmultiplevesselswithdifferentmakesandmodels,applicantsshouldlisteachmakeandmodelforeachvessel.

Examples:

• “TrackerTahoeQ5runabout.”

• “RangerComanche518VXbassboat.”

1312.2 Space 2: Design

Inspace2,applicantsshouldprovideadetailedbutbriefdescriptionoftheclaimforwhichregistrationissought.Space2isdividedintothreesubparts:

• Thetypeorstyleofthedesignforwhichregistrationissought.

• Abriefgeneralstatementsettingforththesalientfeaturesofthedesign.

• Adescriptionofanypreexistingdesignusedinthedesignforwhicharegistrationissought.

1312.2(A) Space 2A: Type or Style

Inspace2A,applicantsshouldidentifythetypeofdesignforwhichprotectionissought.Thedescriptionshouldbegeneraland,wherepossible,conformtoacceptedindustryclassifications,suchas:

• Fiberglasstri-hull

• Aluminumpontoon

1312.2(B) Space 2B: Salient Features

Inspace2Btheapplicantmayprovideabriefdescriptionofthesalientfeaturesofthedesign.17U.S.C.§1310(d).Providingthisinformationisoptional,however,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeadvisesapplicantstocompletespace2Btocreateaclearerrecordandcleareridentificationoftheclaim.

Ifadescriptionisprovided,itshouldclearlyidentifythedesignforwhichprotectionissought.

Examples:

• “Designoftransom.”

• “Configurationofdeck.”



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1312.2(C) Space 2C: Prior Designs

Applicantsshouldcompletespace2Conlyiftheclaimeddesignrevises,adapts,orrearrangesapriordesign.Insuchcases,space2Cshouldcontainacleardescriptionofthepriordesignwithsufficientdetailtodistinguishthepriordesignfromthenewdesign,aswellasadescriptionoftherevisions,adaptations,orrearrangementsthatresultedinthenewdesign.

Iftheclaimeddesignisnotbasedonapriordesign,applicantsshouldleavespace2Cblank.

1312.3 Space 3: Identify the Designer

Inspace3,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameofthepersonorpersonswhosecreativeendeavorshaveresultedinthecreationoftheclaimeddesign.

Thenameoftheemployerofthedesigner(s)maybeenteredinsteadoftheindividualdesignerordesignersif:

• Thedesignwascreatedintheregularscopeofanindividualdesigner’semployment;and

• Theindividualauthorshipofthedesignistoodifficultorimpossibletoascribebecause,forinstance,multipleemployee-designerscontributedtothecreationofthedesign.

17U.S.C.§1310(g).Insuchcases,theapplicantmustchecktheboxprovidedinspace3whichaffirmsthatthedesignwascreatedduringthescopeofanauthor’sorauthors’employment,andprovidethenameandaddressoftheemployer.

1312.4 Space 4: Identify the Owner if Different from the Designer

Ifthedesigneridentifiedinspace3isnottheowneroftheclaimeddesign,applicantsmustprovidethenameoftheownerofthedesigninspace4.Ifthedesignerinspace3istheownerofthedesign,applicantsshouldleavespace4blankorwrite“N/A.”

1312.5 Space 5: Priority Claims

AclaimeddesignthatwaspreviouslyfiledinaforeigncountrywithinsixmonthsofsubmittingtheU.S.applicationisreferredtoasa“priorityclaim.”SeeSection1306.2.Insuchcases,theeffectivedateofregistrationintheUnitedStateswillbethesameasthedateofregistrationintheforeigncountryprovidedthatthefollowingconditionsaresatisfied:

• ThecountrywhereforeignregistrationwasmadeprovidessimilarprotectiontoU.S.citizens;and

• ThelawoftheforeigncountrywherepreviousregistrationwasmadeprovidesprotectionforvesseldesignsofU.S.citizenssimilartotheprotectionprovidedin17U.S.C.Chapter13.



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17U.S.C.§1311.

Ifapriorityclaimexistsatthetimeregistrationissought,theapplicantmustprovideinformationonthatclaiminspace5,including(i)thecountry,(ii)dateofapplication,and(iii)aserialnumber.

Inaddition,applicantsalsomustsubmitthefollowinginformation:

• Acertifiedcopyoftheforeignapplication;

• IftheforeignapplicationisinalanguageotherthanEnglish,atranslationoftheforeignapplication,alongwithasignedstatementbythetranslatorthatthetranslationisaccurate;and

• IfrequestedbytheU.S.CopyrightOffice,proofthattheforeigncountryinwhichthepriorapplicationwasfiledextendssimilarprotectiontodesignsownedbyU.S.citizens,ordesignsforwhichclaimsarefiled.

37C.F.R.§212.3(h).

1312.6 Space 6: Date Made Public

AsdiscussedinSection1303.3,avesseldesignis“madepublic”underoneofthefollowingconditions:

• Itwaspubliclyexhibitedanywhere;

• Itwaspubliclydistributed;or

• Itwasofferedforsaleorsoldtothepublicundertheowner’sauthorization.

17U.S.C.§1310(b).Ifthedesignwasmadepublicpriortosubmissionoftheapplication,theapplicantshouldcheck“yes”totheMadePublicquestion,andprovidethemonth,day,andyearofpublicexhibitionordistribution.

Ifthedesignwasnotmadepublicpriortoregistration,theapplicantshouldleavespace6blank.

1312.7 Space 7: Contact Person

Inspace7,theapplicantshouldprovidecontactinformationforthepersonwhocanprovideadditionalinformationregardingtheapplicationintheeventtheU.S.CopyrightOfficeneedsadditionalinformation.Contactinformationconsistsofthefollowing:

• Name.

• Mailingaddress.

• Emailaddress(ifany).

• Daytimephonenumber.



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• Facsimilenumber(ifany).

TheOfficewillnotrejectanapplicationifspace7isleftblank,buttheapplicationmaybedelayediftheOfficeneedstocommunicatewiththeapplicantandcorrectcontactinformationisnotprovidedinspace7orelsewhereintheregistrationmaterials.

1312.8 Space 8: Deposit Account Information

Theapplicantshouldprovidedepositaccountinformationinspace8onlyiftheapplicanthasanexistingdepositaccountwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice.Otherwise,space8shouldbeleftblank.

FormoreinformationonhowtoestablishadepositaccountwiththeOffice,seeCircular5,HowtoObtainandMaintainaCopyrightOfficeDepositAccount(Circular5,).

1312.9 Space 9: Certification and Sworn Statements

Toobtainaregistrationofavesseldesign,theapplicantortheapplicant’sdulyappointedagentorrepresentativemustcertifythedeclarationinspace9.Itisnotnecessarytohavethedeclarationprovidedinspace9notarized.

Willfullymakingfalsestatementsintheapplicationispunishablebyfineorimprisonment,orboth,andmayjeopardizethevalidityoftheapplicationandanyresultingregistration.

1312.9(A) Space 9: Location of Design Notice

Ifthedesignhasbeenmadepublicwithadesignnoticeasprescribedin17U.S.C.§1306,thecontentandlocationofthenoticeonthevesselmustbedisclosedinspace9.Forinformationregardingtheplacementofthenotice,seeSection1309.4.IfadistinctiveidentificationoftheownerhasbeenrecordedwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficeandisusedinsteadofthedesignnotice,theapplicantshoulddisclosethisinformationinspace9.

1312.9(B) Space 9: Certificate Mailing Address

InSpace9,applicantsshouldprovidethenameandaddressofthepersonorentitydesignatedtoreceiveacertificateofregistration.Toavoiddelaysinmailing,applicantsshouldtypeorhandwritethenameandaddressclearly,becausetheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillmailthecertificateinawindowenvelopethatdisplaystheaddressexactlyasitappearsontheapplication.

1313 Deposit Material

AsstatedaboveinSection1311.5,theapplicantmustsubmitdepositmaterialwiththeapplication.Thedepositmaterialmustcontainnomorethantwophotographsordrawingsonasinglesheetofpaper,andnomorethanthree8½inchesby11inchessheetsofpaperperbasicapplicationfee.Photographsanddrawingsshouldnotbecombinedonasinglesheet.



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1313.1 Views and Use of Perspective

Thedrawingsorphotographsshouldcontainasufficientnumberofviewstomakeanadequatedisclosureoftheappearanceofthedesign,i.e.,front,rear,rightandleftsides,top,andbottom.Theapplicantmaysubmituptosixdifferentviewsordepictionsofthedesign.

NOTE:Anadditionalfeeshallbeassessedforeachpagebeyondthefirstthreepages.37C.F.R.§212.3(e)(1).

Whilenotrequired,theU.S.CopyrightOfficesuggeststhatapplicantssubmitperspectiveviewstoshowclearlytheappearanceandshapeofthethree-dimensionaldesigns.See37C.F.R.§212.3(e)(2);17U.S.C.§1310(h)(“Theapplicationforregistrationshallbeaccompaniedbytwocopiesof…[a]pictorialrepresentationoftheusefularticleembodyingthedesign,havingoneormoreviews,adequatetoshowthedesign….”).

1313.2 Photographic Deposit Requirements

Depositmaterialcontainingphotographsmustsatisfythefollowingrequirements:

• Thephotographsmustbemountedonplain,unlined8½inchesby11inchespaper;

• Thephotographsmustbedevelopedondouble-weightphotographicpaper;

• Therecanbenomorethantwophotographspersheetofpaper;

• Thephotographsmustbeofahighenoughqualitytoclearlyshowthedetailsofthedesign;and

• TheU.S.CopyrightOfficemustbeabletoreproducethephotographsassubmittedonacertificateofregistration,shouldaregistrationbeissued.

37C.F.R.§212.3(e)(4).

1313.3 Drawing Deposit Requirements

Iftheapplicantsubmitsdepositmaterialthatcontainsdrawings,thedepositmaterialmustsatisfythefollowingrequirements:

• Onlyblackinkisacceptable;

• Thedrawingmustbesubmittedon8½inchesby11inchesunruledpaper;

• Thedrawingmustcontaintheappropriateamountofsurfaceshadingtoclearlyshowthecharacterandcontourofallsurfacesofanythree-dimensionalaspectsofthedesign;and

• Surfaceshadingshouldnotbesolidblack,unlessthatdepictsthecolorblackinthedesign.



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37C.F.R.§212.3(e)(3).

1313.4 Use of Broken Lines in Drawings

Theapplicantshouldusebrokenlinestodepictstructuresthatarenotpartoftheclaimeddesign.Thebrokenlinesshouldnotintrudeuponorcrossthedepictionoftheclaimeddesign,norshouldthebrokenlinesbeofaheavierweightthanthelinesthatdepicttheclaimeddesign.

Ifabrokenlinemustintrudeorcrossthedepictionoftheclaimeddesigntodepicttheenvironmentalstructure,thatdrawingmustbesubmittedinadditiontoonethatclearlyshowstheclaimeddesignwithouttheintrusionofbrokenlines.37C.F.R.§212.3(e)(3)(ii)-(iii).

1314 Submitting the Application, Filing Fee, and Deposit Material

AnapplicantmaysubmitFormD-VH,D-VH/CON,thefilingfee,andthedepositmaterialbyU.S.mail,inperson,orbycouriertothefollowingaddresses:

• ByU.S.Mail:LibraryofCongress,U.S.CopyrightOffice–VH,101IndependenceAvenue,SE,Washington,DC20559.

• InPerson:JamesMadisonBuilding,PublicInformationOffice,RoomLM–401,MondaythroughFriday,betweenthehoursof8:30a.m.–5:00p.m.EasternTime,exceptonfederalholidays.

• ByCourier:CongressionalCourierAcceptanceSite(“CCAS”),2ndandDStreets,NE,Washington,DC,betweenthehoursof8:30a.m.–4:300p.m.EasternTime,exceptonfederalholidays.

NOTE:CourierswillreceiveadatedreceiptfromCCAS,ratherthantheU.S.CopyrightOffice.TheOfficewillconsiderthedateofreceiptatCCASasthedateofreceiptintheOffice.Acouriermaydeliveruptotenitemsatatime.PackagesacceptedatCCASmaynotexceed4"x14"x18"insize.LargerpackageswillnotbeacceptedbyCCAS;insuchcases,thecourierwillbedirectedtodeliverthesepackagestotheoffsitemailprocessingcenter.

1315 Publication of Registration Certificate and Effective Date of Registration

Whenaclaimisregistered,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeissuesacertificateofregistrationthatincludesareproductionofthedrawingsorotherpictorialrepresentationsofthedesign.17U.S.C.§1314.

Oncearegistrationismade,theOfficepublishesanotificationthattheregistrationwasmade.TheOfficedoessobypostingthenotificationonitswebsite,.atwww.copyright.gov/vessels/list.

TheeffectivedateofregistrationofaclaimtoprotectioninavesseldesignisthedateonwhichtheOfficepublishestheregistration.17U.S.C.§§1313(a),1315.



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1316 Reconsideration of Refusal to Register

IftheU.S.CopyrightOfficerefusestoregisteradesign,theapplicantmayseekreconsiderationbyfilingawrittenrequestwithinthreemonthsoftherefusal.17U.S.C.§1313(b).Toexercisethisoption,theapplicantshouldfollowtheproceduressetforthin37C.F.R.§202.5andChapter1700,Section1703.1.IftheOfficeupholdsitsrefusaltoregister,theapplicantmayseekjudicialreviewofthefinalrefusal.17U.S.C.§1321(b).

1317 Certificate of Correction for a Completed Registration

IftheU.S.CopyrightOfficemakesaclericalortypographicalerrorinpreparingthecertificateofregistrationforavesseldesign,theownerofthevesseldesignshouldcontactthePublicInformationOfficeinwritingusingtheformpostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/help/general-form.html).Ifappropriate,theOfficewillcorrecttheerrorandwillissueanewcertificatetothecorrespondentnamedinthecertificate.

Iftheapplicantmadeaclericalortypographicalerrorintheapplicationforregistration,theowneroftheregistereddesignoritsdulyauthorizedagentmaysubmitanapplicationforacertificateofcorrectionusingFormDCtogetherwiththeappropriatefilingfee.See37C.F.R.§212.8(a)(3),(c).ThisformispostedontheOffice’swebsiteatwww.copyright.gov/forms/formdc.pdf.ThecurrentfilingfeeforacertificateofcorrectionislistedontheOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormDC(tocorrectadesignregistration).”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthisfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.

TheOfficewillissueacertificateofcorrectiononlyincasesinwhichtheapplicantmadeclericalortypographicalerrors.TheOfficehasnoauthorityandnoprocedureforallowingvesseldesignownerstosupplementthedepositmaterialforaregistrationforavesseldesign,toamplifythefactsorinformationsetforthintheregistration,ortocorrectmaterialmistakesintheregistration.See17U.S.C.§1319.Tocorrectsubstantive,materialfactualerrorsoromissionsintheregistrationortocorrect,supplement,oramplifythedepositmaterial,theownerofthedesignmustsubmitanewapplicationusingFormD-VH.
