Chapter1100:1 09/29/2017
C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter1100
RegistrationforMultipleWorks Contents
1101 WhatThisChapterCovers.................................................................................................................................................8
1102 RegistrationasaSingleWork:TheUnpublishedCollectionOption...............................................................8
1103 RegistrationasaSingleWork:TheUnitofPublicationOption.........................................................................9
1104 GroupRegistration................................................................................................................................................................9
1104.1 WhatIsaGroupRegistration?......................................................................................................................................10
1104.2 GroupRegistrationOptions...........................................................................................................................................10
1104.3 RegistrationRequirements............................................................................................................................................11
1104.4 TheScopeofaGroupRegistration..............................................................................................................................11
1104.5 GroupRegistrationsDistinguishedfromRegistrationsforUnpublishedCollections.........................12
1105 Cancellation...........................................................................................................................................................................13
1106 UnpublishedCollections..................................................................................................................................................13
1106.1 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................14
1106.2 RegistrationRequirements............................................................................................................................................14
1106.3 CompletingtheApplication............................................................................................................................................15
1106.3(A) RegistrationProcessOverview.....................................................................................................................................16
1106.3(B) TypeofWork........................................................................................................................................................................16
1106.3(C) Title...........................................................................................................................................................................................18
1106.3(D) Publication/Completion................................................................................................................................................19
1106.3(E) Authors....................................................................................................................................................................................19
1106.3(F) AuthorCreated/NatureofAuthorship....................................................................................................................20
1106.3(G) Claimants/TransferStatement...................................................................................................................................20
1106.3(H) LimitationofClaim.............................................................................................................................................................21
1106.3(I) RightsandPermissionsInformation..........................................................................................................................22
1106.3(J) Correspondent/MailingAddressfortheCertificateofRegistration..........................................................22
1106.3(K) SpecialHandling..................................................................................................................................................................22
1106.3(L) Certification...........................................................................................................................................................................22
1107 TheUnitofPublicationOption.....................................................................................................................................23
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
Chapter1100:2 09/29/2017
1107.1 WhatIsaUnitofPublication?.......................................................................................................................................23
1107.2 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................25
1107.3 RegistrationRequirements............................................................................................................................................26
1107.4 CompletingtheApplication............................................................................................................................................27
1107.4(A) RegistrationProcessOverview.....................................................................................................................................28
1107.4(B) TypeofWork........................................................................................................................................................................29
1107.4(C) Title...........................................................................................................................................................................................29
1107.4(D) Publication/Completion................................................................................................................................................30
1107.4(E) AuthorsoftheComponentWorks...............................................................................................................................30
1107.4(F) Manufacturer,Publisher,Producer,Packager,orCreatoroftheUnitofPublication..........................31
1107.4(G) AuthorCreated/NatureofAuthorship....................................................................................................................31
1107.4(H) Claimants/TransferStatement...................................................................................................................................32
1107.4(I) LimitationofClaim.............................................................................................................................................................33
1107.4(J) RightsandPermissionsInformation..........................................................................................................................33
1107.4(K) Correspondent/MailingAddressfortheCertificateofRegistration..........................................................33
1107.4(L) SpecialHandling..................................................................................................................................................................34
1107.4(M) Certification...........................................................................................................................................................................34
1108 Warnings................................................................................................................................................................................34
1109 GroupRegistrationofSerials.........................................................................................................................................35
1109.1 WhatIsaSerial?..................................................................................................................................................................35
1109.2 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................35
1109.3 ApplicationRequirements..............................................................................................................................................37
1109.4 FilingFeeRequirements..................................................................................................................................................37
1109.5 DepositRequirements......................................................................................................................................................38
1109.5(A) SerialsSubjecttotheComplimentarySubscriptionRequirement................................................................38
1109.5(B) SerialsNotSubjecttotheComplimentarySubscriptionRequirement.......................................................38
1109.5(C) OneCompleteCopyofEachIssue................................................................................................................................39
1109.6 WhenMayanApplicationforaGroupRegistrationBeFiled?........................................................................39
1109.7 CompletingtheApplication:GroupRegistrationofSerials.............................................................................39
1109.7(A) TypeofGroup.......................................................................................................................................................................39
1109.7(B) Title...........................................................................................................................................................................................40
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
Chapter1100:3 09/29/2017
1109.7(C) ISSNNumbers......................................................................................................................................................................40
1109.7(D) NationofFirstPublication/Author’sCitizenshiporDomicile......................................................................40
1109.7(E) Volume,Number,IssueDate,andDateofPublication.......................................................................................41
1109.7(F) Author/Claimant...............................................................................................................................................................41
1109.7(G) RightsandPermissionsInformation..........................................................................................................................42
1109.7(H) Correspondent/MailingAddressfortheCertificateofRegistration..........................................................42
1109.7(I) SpecialHandling..................................................................................................................................................................43
1109.7(J) Certification...........................................................................................................................................................................43
1109.8 SubmittingtheDeposit.....................................................................................................................................................43
1110 GroupRegistrationofDailyNewspapers.................................................................................................................45
1110.1 WhatIsaDailyNewspaper?..........................................................................................................................................45
1110.2 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................45
1110.3 ApplicationRequirements..............................................................................................................................................46
1110.4 FilingFeeRequirements..................................................................................................................................................46
1110.5 DepositRequirements......................................................................................................................................................46
1110.5(A) NewspapersSubjecttotheMicrofilmDepositRequirement..........................................................................46
1110.5(B) NewspapersThatAreNotSubjecttotheMicrofilmDepositRequirement...............................................47
1110.6 TheTimelinessRequirement........................................................................................................................................48
1111 GroupRegistrationofDailyNewsletters..................................................................................................................48
1111.1 WhatIsaDailyNewsletter?...........................................................................................................................................49
1111.2 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................49
1111.3 ApplicationRequirements..............................................................................................................................................50
1111.4 FilingFeeRequirements..................................................................................................................................................50
1111.5 DepositRequirements......................................................................................................................................................50
1111.5(A) OneCompleteCopyofEachIssue................................................................................................................................50
1111.5(B) MicrofilmorComplimentarySubscriptions...........................................................................................................51
1111.6 TheTimelinessRequirement........................................................................................................................................51
1112 CompletingtheApplication:GroupRegistrationofDailyNewspapersandDailyNewsletters(FormG/DN).........................................................................................................................................................................52
1112.1 Space1:TitleofthisNewspaper/Newsletter......................................................................................................52
1112.2 Space2:Author/Claimant.............................................................................................................................................53
1112.3 Space3:DateofPublicationfortheFirstandLastIssuesintheGroup.....................................................53
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
Chapter1100:4 09/29/2017
1112.4 Certification...........................................................................................................................................................................54
1112.5 Correspondent/MailingAddressfortheCertificateofRegistration..........................................................54
1113 ePrintNewspapers,Newsletters,andOtherSerials............................................................................................54
1114 Newspapers,Newsletters,orOtherSerialsThatDoNotSatisfytheGroupRegistrationRequirements.......................................................................................................................................................................55
1115 GroupRegistrationforContributionstoPeriodicals..........................................................................................55
1115.1 WhatIsaContributiontoaPeriodical?....................................................................................................................56
1115.2 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................57
1115.3 ApplicationRequirements..............................................................................................................................................57
1115.4 FilingFeeRequirements..................................................................................................................................................58
1115.5 DepositRequirements......................................................................................................................................................59
1115.6 WhenMayanApplicationforaGroupRegistrationBeFiled?........................................................................61
1115.7 CompletingtheApplication:GroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals................................61
1115.7(A) TypeofGroupFormTX,FormVA,andFormPA...................................................................................................62
1115.7(B) IdentifyingtheWorksIncludedwithintheGroupSpace1:TitleofthisWork.........................................64
1115.7(C) Space2(a):NameofAuthor...........................................................................................................................................62
1115.7(D) Space3(a):YearinwhichCreationofThisWorkWasCompleted...............................................................63
1115.7(E) Space4:CopyrightClaimant(s)....................................................................................................................................63
1115.8 FormGR/CP..........................................................................................................................................................................63
1115.8(A) SpaceA:IdentificationofApplication........................................................................................................................63
1115.8(B)(1) Identifyingthe)SpaceB:RegistrationforGroupofContributions...............................................................65
1115.7(B)(2) IdentifyingthePeriodicals....................................................................................................................................................
1115.7(C) IdentifyingtheAuthor............................................................................................................................................................
1115.7(D) IdentifyingtheCopyrightableMaterialthattheAuthorCreated.........................................................................
1115.7(E) IdentifyingtheCopyrightClaimant...................................................................................................................................
1115.7(F) RightsandPermissionsInformation................................................................................................................................
1115.7(G) Correspondent/MailingAddressfortheCertificateofRegistration................................................................
1115.7(H) SpecialHandling........................................................................................................................................................................
1115.7(I) Certification.................................................................................................................................................................................
1115.8 9 ContributionsThatDoNotSatisfytheGroupRegistrationRequirements...............................................69
1116 GroupRegistrationofPublishedPhotographs......................................................................................................69
1116.1 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................70
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
Chapter1100:5 09/29/2017
1116.2 ApplicationRequirements..............................................................................................................................................72
1116.3 FilingFeeRequirements..................................................................................................................................................73
1116.4 DepositRequirements......................................................................................................................................................73
1116.5 WhenMayanApplicationforaGroupRegistrationBeFiled?........................................................................74
1116.6 CompletingtheApplication:GroupRegistrationofPublishedPhotographs...........................................75
1116.6(A) FormVA..................................................................................................................................................................................75
1116.6(A)(1) Space1:TitleofthisWork..............................................................................................................................................75
1116.6(A)(2) Space2(a):NameofAuthor/NatureofAuthorship..........................................................................................76
1116.6(A)(3) Space3(a):YearinWhichCreationofThisWorkWasCompleted...............................................................76
1116.6(A)(4) Space3(b):DateandNationofFirstPublicationofThisParticularWork................................................76
1116.6(A)(5) Space4:CopyrightClaimant(s)/Transfer..............................................................................................................77
1116.6(A)(6) Spaces5through9.............................................................................................................................................................77
1116.6(B) FormGR/PPh/CON............................................................................................................................................................78
1116.6(B)(1) SpaceA:IdentificationofAuthorandClaimant....................................................................................................78
1116.6(B)(2) SpacesB&C:CopyrightRegistrationforaGroupofPublishedPhotographs.........................................78
1116.7 PhotographsThatDoNotSatisfytheGroupRegistrationRequirements..................................................79
1117 Databases...............................................................................................................................................................................79
1117.1 WhatIsaDatabase?...........................................................................................................................................................80
1117.2 TheScopeofaGroupRegistrationforaDatabase...............................................................................................81
1117.3 EligibilityRequirements..................................................................................................................................................82
1117.4 ApplicationRequirements..............................................................................................................................................83
1117.5 FilingFeeRequirements..................................................................................................................................................83
1117.6 DepositRequirements......................................................................................................................................................84
1117.6(A) DatabasesThatDoNotConsistPredominantlyofPhotographs....................................................................84
1117.6(B) DatabasesThatPredominantlyConsistofPhotographs...................................................................................85
1117.6(C) DescriptiveStatement......................................................................................................................................................86
1117.7 CompletingtheApplication:GroupRegistrationofDatabases......................................................................88
1117.7(A) Space1:Title.........................................................................................................................................................................89
1117.7(B) Space2:NameofAuthor/NatureofAuthorship.................................................................................................89
1117.7(C) Space3(a):YearinwhichCreationofThisWorkWasCompleted...............................................................91
1117.7(D) Space3(b):DateandNationofFirstPublicationofThisParticularWork................................................91
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
Chapter1100:6 09/29/2017
1117.7(E) Space4:CopyrightClaimant(s)....................................................................................................................................92
1117.7(F) Spaces5&6:PreviousRegistration/DerivativeWorkorCompilation....................................................92
1117.7(G) Space8:Certification.........................................................................................................................................................92
1117.7(H) Spaces7&9:CorrespondentandMailingAddressfortheCertificate........................................................93
1117.8 EffectiveDateofRegistrationforaGroupofRevisionsorUpdatestoaDatabase...............................93
1117.9 DatabasesThatDoNotSatisfytheGroupRegistrationRequirements.......................................................93
1118 Serials,DailyNewspapers,andDailyNewslettersataGlance.......................................................................93
1119 PhotographsataGlance..................................................................................................................................................96
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
Chapter1100:7 09/29/2017
This redline compares the Compendium (Third) released December 22, 2014, and the Compendium (Third) released September 29, 2017.
Chapter1100:8 09/29/2017
C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter1100
RegistrationforMultipleWorks 1101 What This Chapter Covers
Asageneralrule,aregistrationcoversanindividualwork,andanapplicantshouldprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositforeachworkthatissubmittedforregistration.However,thereareseveralexceptionstothisrule,including:
• Theoptionforregisteringanumberofworksasanunpublishedcollection.ThisoptionisdiscussedinSections1102and1106below.
• Theoptionforregisteringanumberofworksthatwerepublishedinasingleunitofpublication.ThisoptionisdiscussedinSections1103and1107below.
• TheoptionsforregisteringagroupofrelatedworksunderSection408(c)(1)oftheCopyrightAct,asdiscussedinSection1104andSections1109through1117below.Atpresent,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeoffersgroupregistrationoptionsforthefollowingtypesofworks:
- Serials.
- Dailynewspapers.
- Dailynewsletters.
- Contributionstoperiodicals.
- Publishedphotographs.
- Databaseupdatesandrevisions.
• Registeringacollectiveworktogetherwiththeseparateandindependentworkscontainedtherein.ThisoptionisdiscussedinChapter500,Section509.1andChapter600,Sections610.4,613.8,618.7,620.8,and621.8(D).
• Registeringasoundrecordingtogetherwiththemusicalwork,dramaticwork,orliteraryworkcontainedinthatrecording.Thisoptionisdiscussedin,Section511.
1102 Registration as a Single Work: The Unpublished Collection Option
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasestablishedanadministrativeprocedurethatallowsanapplicanttoregisteranumberofunpublishedworkswithoneapplication,onefilingfee,andonesetofdepositcopies.Thisisknownasthe“unpublishedcollection”option.
Asageneralrule,Aregistrationissuedunderthisoptioncoverseachworkthatissubmittedforregistration.IfItmayalsocoverthecompilationauthorship(ifany)involvedinselectingtheworksandassemblingthemintoacollectivewhole,provided
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
Chapter1100:9 09/29/2017
thattheapplicantexpresslydoesnotassertaclaimintheselection,coordination,orarrangementofthoseworks,theOfficeconsiderseachworktoberegisteredindividuallythatauthorshipintheapplication.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(4)(i)(B).Whennoselection,coordination,orarrangementisclaimed,theOfficeconsiderseachworktobeindividuallyregisteredforpurposesofstatutorydamages.
Iftheapplicantexpresslyassertsaclaiminthecompilationauthorshipinvolvedinselectingtheworksandassemblingthemintoacollectivewhole,theOfficewillregistertheworksasanunpublishedcollectivework,ratherthananunpublishedcollection.Aregistrationforanunpublishedcollectiveworkwillcovertheindividualworks(i)iftheclaimantownsthecopyrightineachofthoseworksandthecollectiveworkasawhole,and(ii)iftheindividualworkshavenotbeenpreviouslypublishedorpreviouslyregistered.Innocasemayaclaimantregisteraworkthatisinthepublicdomain.
Foradditionalinformationconcerningthedifferencebetweenanunpublishedcollectionandanunpublishedcollectiveworkthisoption,seeSections1104.5and1106.Foradditionalinformationconcerningcollectiveworks,seeChapter500,Section509.1andChapter600,Sections610.4,613.8,618.7,620.8,and621.8(D).1106.
1103 Registration as a Single Work: The Unit of Publication Option
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasestablishedanadministrativeprocedurethatallowsanapplicanttoregisteranumberofworksthatwerephysicallypackagedorphysicallybundledtogetherasasingleunitbytheclaimantandfirstpublishedonthesamedate.Thisisknownasthe“unitofpublication”option.
Aregistrationissuedunderthisoptioncoverseachworkintheunitthatisownedbythecopyrightclaimant.
Aunitofpublicationisdifferentfromantheunpublishedcollectionoptioninthattheworksintheunitcannotbeaggregatedsimplyforthepurposeofregistration,butrathermusthavebeenfirstdistributedtothepublicinthepackagedunit.Moreover,aunitofpublicationisalsodifferentfromacollectiveworkinthattheunitisnotacompilationofworks,butratherapackageofdistinctandseparateanddistinctcopiesorphonorecordsthatarephysicallybundledtogetheranddistributedtothepublicasaunit,suchasaboardgamecontaininginstructions,agameboard,andsculptedplayingpieces.However,bundledunit.Aunitmay,however,containacompilationorcollectivework,suchasaCDcontainingofsoundrecordingspackagedtogetherwithcoverartandlinernotes,etc.
Foradditionalinformationconcerningtheunitofpublicationthisoption,seeSection1107.Foradditionalinformationconcerningtheunpublishedcollectionoption,seeSection1106.Foradditionalinformationconcerningcollectiveworks,see,Section509.1andChapter600,Sections610.4,613.8,618.7,620.8,and621.8(D).1107.
1104 Group Registration
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasestablishedadministrativeproceduresthatallowanapplicanttoregistermultipleworksincertainlimitedcategorieswithoneapplicationandonefilingfee.Thisprocedureisknownasagroupregistration.Whereapplicable,
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
Chapter1100:10 09/29/2017
thismaybethemostconvenientandcosteffectivewaytoregistermultipleworksofauthorship.
Theapplicantmustdecidewhethergroupregistrationistheoptimalmeansofregisteringtheworksatissue.Groupregistrationoptionshaveparticularrequirements,andinsomecases,limitations.Forexample,applicantswhoavailthemselvesoftheseoptionsshouldrecognizethataregistrationforagroupofrelatedworksprovideslessdetailedinformationaboutthevariousworksinthegroup.Theapplicantshouldweighthecostsandbenefitsofthesevariousoptionsindeterminingwhethertoregisteraworkonanindividualbasisorasagroup.
1104.1 What Is a Group Registration?
WhenCongressenactedtheCopyrightActof1976,itauthorizedtheRegisterofCopyrightstoestablish“theadministrativeclassesintowhichworksaretobeplacedforpurposesofdepositandregistration,andthenatureofthecopiesorphonorecordstobedepositedinthevariousclassesspecified.”17U.S.C.§408(c)(1).Inaddition,CongressgavetheRegisterthediscretionto“requireorpermit...asingleregistrationforagroupofrelatedworks.”Id.
Asthelegislativehistoryexplains,allowing“anumberofrelatedworkstoberegisteredtogetherasagrouprepresent[ed]aneededandimportantliberalizationofthelaw.”H.R.REP.NO.94-1476,at154(1976),reprintedin1976U.S.C.C.A.N.5659,5770.Congressrecognizedthatrequiringseparateapplications“whererelatedworksorpartsofaworkarepublishedseparately”mayimpose“unnecessaryburdensandexpensesonauthorsandothercopyrightowners.”Id.Insomecases,requiringseparateapplicationsandaseparatefilingfeemaycausecopyrightownerstoforegoregistrationaltogether.Seeid.
Ifcopyrightownersdonotsubmittheirworksforregistration,thepublicrecordwillnotcontainanyinformationconcerningthoseworks.Thisdiminishestheoverallvalueoftheregistrationrecord,andmaydeprivethepublicofhistoricalandculturalartifactsthatmightotherwisebeincludedinthecollectionsoftheLibraryofCongress.
Toaddresstheseconcerns,theOfficeaskedthepublicforsuggestionsandcommentsconcerningthetypesofrelatedworksthatmightbesuitableforgroupregistration,aswellastherequirementsthatshouldgoverneachgroup.SeePart202—RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,43Fed.Reg.763,765(Jan.4,1978).
1104.2 Group Registration Options
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficecurrentlyoffersgroupregistrationoptionsforthefollowingtypesofworks:
• Serials.
• Dailynewspapers.
• Dailynewsletters.
• Contributionstoperiodicals.
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
Chapter1100:11 09/29/2017
• Publishedphotographs.
DatabasesTheOffice’sdecisiontoprovideregistrationoptionsforgroupsofrelatedworksisentirelydiscretionary,exceptforthegroupregistrationoptionforcontributionstoperiodicals,whichismandatedbySection408(c)(2)oftheCopyrightAct.
1104.3 Registration Requirements
Anapplicantmustsatisfycertainrequirementstoobtainagroupregistration.ThespecificrequirementsforeachgroupregistrationoptionarediscussedinSections1109(serials),1110(dailynewspapers),1111(dailynewsletters),1115(contributionstoperiodicals),1116(publishedphotographs),and1117(databases).
Basedonitslongstandingexperience,theU.S.CopyrightOfficehasdeterminedthatexamininggroupsofrelatedworksimposesadministrativecostsandburdensontheOffice.Toexamineprocesstheseclaimsinanefficientandcosteffectivemanner,theOfficemaystrictlyapplytherequirementsforthesegroupregistrationoptions.Moreover,theOfficedoesnotalloworprovideforgroupregistrationofforworksthatarenotlistedinSection1104.2orgroupsofrelatedworksthatdonotsatisfytherequirementssetforthinSections1109through1117.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofSerials,55Fed.Reg.50,556,50,556(Dec.7,1990).
IftheOfficedeterminesthattherelevantrequirementshavenotbeenmet,theregistrationspecialistmaywillcommunicatewiththeapplicantandexplainwhytheworkscannotberegisteredasagroupandhowtheclaimmaybeamended.Thespecialistmayinstructtheapplicanttoprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositforeachworkandsubmitthemforregistrationonanindividualbasis,orthespecialistmayrefusetoregistertheclaim.37C.F.R.§202.4(k).
1104.4 The Scope of a Group Registration
WhentheU.S.CopyrightOfficeissuesAgroupregistrationitpreparesonecertificateofregistrationfortheentiregroupandassignsoneregistrationnumbertothatcertificate.
Aregistrationforagroupofpublishedphotographsoragroupofcontributionstoperiodicalscoversthecopyrightableauthorshipineachworkthatissubmittedforregistration,andeachphotographorcontributionisregisteredasaseparatework.37C.F.R.§202.4(m).Aregistrationforagroupofserials,newspapers,ornewsletterscoversthecopyrightableauthorshipineachissueinthegroup..
Withtheexceptionofagroupregistrationofdatabaseupdatesdatabases,agroupregistrationdoesnotcovertheselectionandarrangementoftheworks,becausethegroupitselfisnotaworkofauthorship.Forsimilarreasons,Thegroupasawholeisnotconsideredacompilationoracollectivework.Instead,thegroupismerelyanadministrativeclassificationcreatedexistssolelyforthepurposeofregisteringmultiplefacilitatingtheregistrationoftheindividualworkswithonespecifiedintheapplicationandonefilingfee.
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
Chapter1100:12 09/29/2017
Althoughanapplicantmayexercisesomejudgmentinselectingandcombiningtheworkswithinthegroup,thesedecisionsdonotnecessarilyconstitutecopyrightableauthorship.Instead,theselectionofworksisbasedsolelyontheregulatoryrequirementsfortherelevantgroupregistrationoption,andthecombinationofthoseworksismerelyanadministrativeaccommodationthatexistssolelyforthepurposesofregistrationandtheconvenienceoftheapplicant.
Likewise,thegroupisnotconsideredaderivativework.Whenagroupofworksarecombinedtogetherforthepurposeoffacilitatingregistrationthoseworksarenot“recast,transformed,oradapted”inanyway,andthegroupasawholeisnot“aworkbasedupononeormorepreexistingworks,”becausethereisnocopyrightableauthorshipinsimplyfollowingtheadministrativerequirementsforagroupregistrationoption.See17U.S.C.§101(definitionof“derivativework”).
Ordinarily,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillnotacceptanapplicationthatattemptstoregisterthegroupitselfasacollectiveworkoranapplicationthatassertsacompilationclaimintheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementoftheworksincludedwithinagroup.However,therearetwoexceptionstothisrule.AsdiscussedinSection1109.7(F),aregistrationforagroupofserialscoversthecompilationauthorshipinvolvedincreatingeachissueasawhole,andasdiscussedinSection1117.7(B),anapplicantmustassertacompilationclaimwhenseekingagroupregistrationfortheupdatesandrevisionstoanautomateddatabase.
SeegenerallyGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.86,634,86,641(Dec.1,2016);GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,81Fed.Reg.86,643,86,653(Dec.1,2016).
1104.5 Group Registrations Distinguished from Registrations for Unpublished Collections
Indeterminingwhethertoregistermultipleworkswithoneapplicationtheapplicantshouldconsiderthepotentialimpactonthecopyrightowner’sabilitytoseekdamagesintheeventthatathirdpartyinfringesthoseworks.
IfWhenanapplicantsubmitsregistersanumberofworksworksusingtheunpublishedcollection–butdoesnotexpresslyoption,theclaimantmayassertaclaiminthecopyrightableselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofthoseworks–theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillpresumethattheclaimislimitedtotheindividualworksandwillregisterthemasanunpublishedcollection.
Bycontrast,iftheapplicantassertsaclaimintheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofthecollectionasawhole,theOfficewillregistertheworksasanunpublishedcollectivework,ratherthananunpublishedcollection.Thismayhavesignificantconsequencesinacopyrightinfringementaction.
Whenacompilationclaimhasbeenasserted,andtheOfficehasregisteredtheworksasanunpublishedcollectivework,thecopyrightownermaybeentitledtoclaimonlyoneawardofstatutorydamagesinaninfringementaction,evenifthedefendantinfringedallofthecomponentworkscoveredbytheregistration.See17U.S.C.§504(c)(1)(“Theterm‘compilation’includescollectiveworks.”);(statingthatacopyrightownermaybe
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
Chapter1100:13 09/29/2017
entitledtorecover“anawardofstatutorydamagesforallinfringementsinvolvedintheaction,withrespecttoanyonework”and“[f]orthepurposesofthissubsection,allthepartsofacompilationorderivativeworkconstituteonework”).Bycontrast,whennoThatisnotnecessarilythecaseiftheclaimantdoesnotexplicitlyassertacompilationclaimhasbeenassertedandanumberofworksareregisteredasanunpublishedcollection.Insuchcases,theregistrationwillextendtoeachindividualworkintheunpublishedcollectionthatiscopyrightable,andSection504(c)(1)oftheCopyrightActwouldnotbarthecopyrightownerfromseekingmaybeentitledtoaseparateawardofstatutorydamagesforeachwork.Thus,iftheapplicantintentstoregisteranumberofindividualworks(butdoesnotintendtoregisterthecollectionasawhole),theapplicantmaywanttoincludeastatementintheapplicationthattheclaimantclaimsnoauthorshipintheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofworksincludedwithinthecollection.WhencompletinganonlineapplicationthisstatementmaybeprovidedintheNotetoCopyrightOfficefield.Whencompletingapaperapplicationitmaybeprovidedinacoverletter.However,unlessselection,coordination,and/orarrangementisspecificallyclaimedintheapplicationtheOfficewillpresumethattheclaimissolelyintheindividualworksintheunpublishedcollection.
Copyrightownerswhouseagroupregistrationoptionmaybeentitledtoclaimaseparateawardofstatutorydamagesforeachwork–oreachissueinthecaseofserials,newspapers,ornewsletters–thatiscoveredbytheregistration,becauseagroupregistrationcoverseachworkoreachissuethatissubmittedforregistration(ratherthanthegroupasawhole).However,thereisanexceptiontothisrule.AsdiscussedinSection1117,agroupregistrationforadatabasecoverstheupdatesorrevisionsthatwereaddedtothedatabaseduringtheperiodspecifiedintheregistration.Copyrightownersthatusethisoptionareentitledtoclaimonlyoneawardofstatutorydamagesinacopyrightinfringementaction,becausetheupdatesorrevisionstoadatabasearederivativecompilations,andasnotedabove,thestatuteexpresslystatesthat“allthepartsofacompilationorderivativeworkconstituteonework”whencalculatingstatutorydamages.Seeid.
1105 Cancellation
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficemaycancelagroupregistrationoraregistrationforanunpublishedcollectionoraunitofpublicationiftheOfficesubsequentlydeterminesthattheapplicantfailedtocomplywiththerelevantrequirementsfortheseoptions.37C.F.R.§§201.7(c)(4)(xi),202.4(l).ThepracticesandproceduresforcancellingaregistrationarediscussedinChapter1800,Section18071806.
1106 Unpublished Collections
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringanumberofworksusingtheunpublishedcollectionoption.Thisoptionisaregistrationaccommodationforcreatorsthatincentivizestimelyregistration.
NOTE:WhenanunpublishedworkisregisteredwiththeOfficeitdoesnothavetoberegisteredagainaftertheworkispublished(althoughasdiscussedinChapter500,Section510.1,theOfficewillregisterthefirstpublishededitionofaworkeveniftheunpublishedversionandthepublishedversionaresubstantiallythesame).Registration
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
Chapter1100:14 09/29/2017
asanunpublishedworkpriortoinfringementwillpreservetheavailabilityofstatutorydamagesand/orrecoveryofattorney’sfees.
1106.1 Eligibility Requirements
Anapplicantmayregistermultipleunpublishedworkswithoneapplicationandonefilingfee,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• Allofthecopyrightableelementsthatareotherwiserecognizableasself-containedworksmustbeunpublished.
• Theelementsmustbeassembledinanorderlyform.
• Theapplicantmustprovideasingletitleforthecollectionasawhole.
• Alloftheelementsmustbecreatedbythesameauthor,oriftheelementswerecreatedbymultipleauthors,atleastoneoftheauthorsmusthavecontributedcopyrightableauthorshiptoeachworkinthecollection.
• Thecopyrightclaimantforalloftheelementsandthecollectionasawholemustbethesamepersonororganization.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(4)(i)(B).
Worksthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredasanunpublishedcollection.
Inparticular,anapplicantcannotusethisoptiontoregisteranumberofpublishedandunpublishedworks.Ifanyoftheworkshavebeenpublished,theapplicantshouldnotincludethoseworksintheclaim.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofpublication,seeChapter1900.
Atthepresenttime,thereisnolimitonthenumberofworksthatmayberegisteredwiththeunpublishedcollectionoption.
Theapplicationshouldexpresslystatethattheapplicantisseekingtoregisteranumberofworksasanunpublishedcollection.
Anapplicantmayregisteranumberofworksasanunpublishedcollection(i)iftheclaimantistheauthorofthoseworksor(ii)ifthesameauthorcreatedalloftheworksandiftheclaimantacquiredthecopyrightinthoseworksthroughatransferofownership.Inallcases,theclaimantmustownthecopyrightinallthecomponentworksthatareclaimedintheapplication.Ifanyoftheworksarenotownedbytheclaimant,theapplicantshouldexcludethoseworksfromtheclaimusingtheproceduredescribedinChapter600,Section621.8(B).
1106.2 Registration Requirements
InadditiontosatisfyingtheeligibilitycriteriadiscussedinSection1106.1,theapplicantmustsubmitacompletedapplication,adepositconsistingofalloftheworksinthe
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
Chapter1100:15 09/29/2017
collection,andthecorrectfilingfeeinordertoregisteranumberofworkswiththeunpublishedcollectionoption.
TheapplicantmaysubmitanonlineapplicationthroughtheU.S.CopyrightOffice’selectronicregistrationsystem,orinthealternative,theapplicantmaysubmitapaperapplicationusingFormsTX,VA,PA,orSR.TheOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantstousetheelectronicregistrationsystemratherthanapaperapplicationbecauseonlineapplicationsarelesscostlyandmoreefficientforboththeapplicantandtheOffice.Forguidanceoncompletingtheonlineapplicationorthepaperapplication,seeSection1106.3.
Inallcases,theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyorphonorecordcontainingtheentirecopyrightablecontentofeachworkthattheapplicantintendstoregister.See37C.F.R.§202.20(b)(2)(i)(definingunpublishedworksfordepositpurposes);202.20(c)(1)(i)(natureofthedepositforanunpublishedworkisonecompletecopyorphonorecord).
Forguidanceonsubmittingthedepositcopy,seeChapter1500,Section1508.
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingfilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.3through1403.5.
1106.3 Completing the Application
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforcompletinganapplicationtoregistermultipleworkswiththeunpublishedcollectionoption.
ApplicantsshouldinformtheU.S.CopyrightOfficethattheapplicantisseekingtoregisteranumberofworksasanunpublishedcollection.Whencompletingtheonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationintheNotetoCopyrightOffice.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinacoverletter.
Iftheregistrationspecialistdeterminesthatthecomponentworksareeligibleforregistrationasanunpublishedcollection,heorshethespecialistwilladdanannotationastatementtothateffecttothecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordfortheclaim,suchas:“Basisforregistration:Unpublishedcollection.”
IfthespecialistdeterminesthatthecomponentworksareIftheapplicantdoesnoteligibleforexpresslyrequestregistrationunderthistheunpublishedcollectionoption,heorshemaythespecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicanttoclarifythescopeoftheclaim,ifthespecialistdeterminesthatthisistheonlymeansforregisteringtheworkswithoneapplication.Insuchcases,thespecialistwillasktheapplicanttosubmitaseparateapplicationforeachwork,orrefusepermissiontoregistertheworksasanunpublishedcollection.Iftheapplicantagrees,thespecialistwilladdastatementtothateffecttothecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordfortheclaim.
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
Chapter1100:16 09/29/2017
1106.3(A) Registration Process Overview
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmustprovidea“yes”or“no”answertothreequestionsconcerningthework(s)thattheapplicantintendstoregister.Thequestionsinclude:
• YesorNo:Areyouregisteringonework(onesong,onepoem,oneillustration,etc.)?Check“NO”tothisquestioniftheworkisoneofthefollowing:acollectionofworks(suchas:bookofpoetry,CDofsongsand,multiplephotographsandillustrations),acollectivework,websiteordatabasebecausetheseworksdonotqualifyfortheSingleformApplication.
• YesorNo:Areyoutheonlyauthorandownerofthework(ortheagentoftheindividualauthorwhoisalsotheonlyowner)?Check“NO”tothisquestioniftheworkwascreatedbymultiplepeople,isa“workmadeforhire,”individuals(suchas,multipleperformers,artists,writers)orifanypartofthethisworkwascreatedbyorisownedbypreparedasa“workmadeforhire”foranotherpersonentity.
• YesorNo:Doestheworkyouaresendingcontainmaterialcreatedonlybythisauthor?Check“NO”tothisquestionifthecopyincludesmorethanoneperformer,writer,artist,actor,orifitcontainscontentorcontributionsbyanyoneelse,eveniftheclaimislimitedtoonlythecontributionbythisauthororthematerialhasbeenlicensed,permissionedortransferredtotheclaimant.
Basedontheresponsesprovided,theelectronicregistrationsystemwilldirecttheapplicanttotheSingleApplicationortheStandardApplication.
TheSingleApplicationcannotbeusedtoregisteranunpublishedcollection.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(2)(i)(B).Iftheapplicantintendstoregisteranumberofmultipleworksasanusingtheunpublishedcollectionoption,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“no”thatappearsnexttothequestion“Areyouregisteringonework?”ThiswilldirecttheapplicanttotheStandardApplication,ratherthantheSingleApplication.
Worksregisteredundertheunpublishedcollectionoptionarenotconsidered“onework,”eventhoughtheymaybetreatedasasingleworkforregistrationpurposesunderSection202.3(b)(4)IftheapplicantattemptstousetheSingleApplicationtoregistermultipleunpublishedworks,theoftheregulations(i.e.,forthepurposeofregisteringtheworkswithoneapplication).Therefore,iftheapplicantanswerstheboxmarked“yes,”theregistrationspecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicant.Thismaydelaytheexaminationoftheapplication.Inaddition,theOfficemayassignalatereffectivedateofregistrationtotheclaim.registration.
NOTE:Thequestionslistedaboveappearintheonlineapplication,buttheydonotappearinanyofthepaperapplications.
1106.3(B) Type of Work
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldselecttheclassofworkthatismostappropriatefortheworksthattheapplicantintendstoregisterandthe
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
Chapter1100:17 09/29/2017
authorshipthatappearsinthoseworks,namely,thepredominanttypeofauthorshipthattheauthorcontributedtothework.TheseclassesarelistedunderadropdownmenumarkedTypeofWork.Identifyingtheclassofworksthatwillbesubmittedforregistrationisalsothefirststepincompletingapaperapplication.TheOfficehasprescribedfivebasicclassesofworksthatmayberegisteredwithapaperapplication,andeachclasshasitsownpaperform.
Inallcases,theapplicantshouldusetheapplicationthatismostappropriateforthetypeofauthorshipthatappearsinthemajorityoftheworksthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(ii)(A)n.3.
• LiteraryWorks:Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldselect“LiteraryWork”intheTypeofWorkfieldiftheworksprimarilycontainnondramatictext,suchaspoems,shortstories,orthelike.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshoulduseFormTX.
• WorksoftheVisualArts:Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldselect“WorkoftheVisualArts”intheTypeofWorkfieldiftheworksprimarilycontainpictorial,graphic,orsculpturalcontent,suchasphotographs,drawings,illustrations,models,orthelike.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshoulduseFormVA.
• WorksofthePerformingArts:Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldselect“WorkofthePerformingArts”intheTypeofWorkfieldiftheworksprimarilycontainmusic,lyrics,drama,choreography,orothercontentthatisintendedtobeperformedforanaudience.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldcompleteFormPA.
• SoundRecordings:Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmustselect“SoundRecording”intheTypeofWorkfieldifapplicantintendstoregisterworksthatcontainsoundrecordingauthorship.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantmustcompleteFormSR.
• MotionPicture/AudiovisualMaterial:Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldselect“MotionPicture/AVWork”intheTypeofWorkfieldiftheworksprimarilycontainmotionpicturesorotheraudiovisualcontent.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldcompleteFormPA.
Iftheworkscontainmorethanonetypeofauthorship,theapplicantshouldselecttheoptionthatisappropriateforthepredominantformofauthorshipinthoseworks.Forexample,ifmostoftheworkscontainasubstantialamountofmusiccombinedwithafewphotographs,theapplicantshouldregisterthemasWorksofthePerformingArts.Ifmostoftheworkscontainillustrationswithasmallamountoftext,theapplicantshouldregisterthemasWorksoftheVisualArts.Ifthetypesofauthorshipareroughlyequal,theapplicantmayselectanyoptionthatisappropriateforthetypeofauthorshipthatappearsinthemajorityoftheworks.
Thereisanexceptiontothisrule.Iftheapplicantintendstoregisteraworkthatcontainssoundrecordingauthorship,theapplicantmustselectSoundRecordingor
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
Chapter1100:18 09/29/2017
mustuseFormSR,regardlessofwhethersoundrecordingisthepredominantformofauthorshipintherestoftheworks.
Foradditionalguidanceinselectingtheappropriatetypeofwork,seeChapter600,Section609.2.
1106.3(C) Title
AsdiscussedinSection1106.1,theapplicantmustprovideatitleforthecollectionasawhole.Iftheworkswerecreatedbythesameauthor,theapplicantmayprovideadescriptivetitlethatidentifiestheauthor,thetypeofworksthattheauthorcreated,andtheyearoryearsthattheworkswerecreated,suchas“RobertSmith’sPoems(2010-2011).”Iftheworkswerecreatedbymultipleauthors,theapplicantmayprovideatitlethatidentifiesthegeneralsubjectmatteroftheworksandtheyearoryearsthattheworkswerecreated,suchas“SketchesattheZoo(2005-2006).”Iftheapplicantintendstoregisteranumberofunpublishedsongsthatappearonthesamealbum,thetitleofthealbummaybeprovidedasthetitlefortheunpublishedcollectionasawhole.
TheOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantstoprovideatitleforeachworkthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.Interestedpartiestypicallysearchforworksbytitle,anditmaybeextremelydifficulttofindaparticularworkiftheapplicantfailstoprovidethatinformationintheapplication.Moreover,afewcourtshaveruledthataregistrationdoesnotcoveraworkunlessthetitleofthatworkappearsonthecertificateofregistration,althoughothercourtshavereachedtheoppositeconclusion.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,thetitleforthecollectionasawholeshouldbeprovidedontheTitlescreenasthe“Titleofworkbeingregistered.”ThetitleofeachworkthatwillbesubmittedforregistrationshouldbeprovidedintheContentsTitlesfield.Iftheapplicantprovidesthesetitlesintheapplication,theywillappearonthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordundertheheadingContentsTitle.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,thetitleforthecollectionasawholeshouldbeprovidedinspace1undertheheadingmarkedTitleofThisWork.ThetitleoftheworksthatwillbesubmittedforregistrationshouldbeprovidedusingFormCON.Iftheapplicantprovidesthisinformationintheapplication,thetitleofeachworkmaybeincludedinthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordunlesstheapplicantprovidesasubstantialnumberoftitlesonFormCON.
Inallcases,thetitlesoftheworksshouldbelistedinthesameorderthattheyappearinthedepositcopy.
Iftheapplicantfailstoprovideatitleforthecollection,theregistrationspecialistmayusethetitleforthefirstworkasthetitleforthecollectionasawhole.Thistitlewillappearinthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordastheprimarytitleforthecollection.
Iftheapplicantfailstoprovideatitleforeachworkintheapplication,theregistrationrecordwillcontainonlythetitleforthecollectionasawhole.However,itmaybepossibletoaddthetitleforeachworktotheregistrationrecordatalaterdatebyfiling
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
Chapter1100:19 09/29/2017
anapplicationforsupplementaryregistration.Foradiscussionofthisprocedure,seeChapter1800,Section1802.6(C).
Foradditionalguidanceincompletingthetitlefield/spaceoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Sections610.2and610.4.
1106.3(D) Publication / Completion
AsdiscussedinSection1106.1,alloftheelementsintheworksmustbeunpublished.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationonthePublication/Completionscreen.Specifically,theapplicantshouldselect“no”inthedropdownmenumarked“Hasthisworkbeenpublished?”Whencompletingapaperapplication,theportionoftheapplicationmarked“DateandNationofFirstPublicationofThisParticularWork”shouldbeleftblank.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldidentifytheyearthattheworkswerecompletedonthePublication/CompletionscreeninthefieldmarkedYearofCompletion(YearofCreation).Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldidentifytheyearthattheauthorcompletedtheworksonspace3(a)undertheheading“Yearinwhichcreationofthisworkwascompleted.”
Iftheworkswerecreatedoveraperiodofthirteenmonthsormore,theapplicantshouldprovidetheyearofcompletionforthemostrecentworkthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.
Foradditionalguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section611.1.
1106.3(E) Authors
AsdiscussedinSection1106.1,alloftheelementsintheworksmustbecreatedbythesameauthor,oriftheelementswerecreatedbymorethanoneauthor,atleastoneoftheauthorsmusthavecontributedcopyrightableauthorshiptoeachelement.Forthesereasons,theapplicantmustidentifyalloftheauthorswhocreatedorco-createdanyoftheelements,evenifaparticularauthordidnotcontributecopyrightableauthorshiptoallofthoseelements.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor’sfullnameontheAuthorsscreen.Iftheworkswerecreatedbymorethanoneauthor,theapplicantshouldcompletetherelevantfields,clicktheSavebutton,andthenrepeatthisprocessfortheotherauthors.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor’scountryofcitizenshipordomicile.Iftheapplicantfailstoprovidethisinformation,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.Iftheauthor’scitizenshipordomicileisunknown,theapplicantmayselect“notknown”fromthedropdownmenu.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor’sfullnameandhisorhercountryofcitizenshipand/ordomicileonspace2(a).Iftheworkswerecreatedbymorethanoneauthor,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationfor
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
Chapter1100:20 09/29/2017
theotherauthorsonspaces2(b)and2(c).Iftheworkswerecreatedbymorethanthreeauthors,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationonFormCON.
ForguidanceinprovidingtheAuthor’sName,seeChapter600,Section613.9.Forguidanceinprovidingtheauthor’scitizenshipanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.
Ifalloftheworksqualifyasanonymousorpseudonymousworks,theapplicantmaychecktheappropriateboxesthatappearintheanonymous/pseudonymousfields/spaces.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofanonymousandpseudonymousworks,seeChapter600,Sections615.1and615.2.
ForguidanceconcerningtheYearofBirthandYearofDeathfields/spaces,seeChapter600,Section616.
1106.3(F) Author Created / Nature of Authorship
Iftheworkswerecreatedbyasingleauthor,theapplicantshouldidentifythecopyrightableauthorshipthattheauthorcontributedtoeachworkthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.
Iftheworkswerecreatedorco-createdbytwoormoreauthors,theapplicantshouldidentifytheelementsthattheauthorscreated,andforeachauthor,theapplicantshouldidentifythecopyrightableauthorshipthatheorshecontributedtothoseelements.
Ifanyoftheauthorscreatedorco-createdsome—butlessthanall—oftheelementsintheworks,theapplicantshouldidentifythecopyrightableauthorshipthateachauthorcontributedtothoseelements.
Ifanyselection,coordination,and/orarrangementisclaimed,theapplicantmustassertthatclaimintheapplication.Itshouldbenotedthatassertingsuchaclaimwillrenderthecollectiona“collectivework”whichwillaffecttheamountofdamagesthatmayberecoveredinaninfringementaction.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheAuthorsscreeninthefieldmarkedAuthorCreated.Specifically,theapplicantshouldcheckoneormoreoftheboxesontheAuthorCreatedscreenthataccuratelydescribetheauthor’scontributiontoeachwork.Forguidanceoncompletingthisfield,seeChapter600,Section618.4(A).Forguidanceonassertingaclaimintheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementoftheworks,seeChapter600,Section618.6.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinthespacemarkedNatureofAuthorship.Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section618.4(B).
1106.3(G) Claimants / Transfer Statement
Toregisteranumberofworksusingtheunpublishedcollectionoption,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddressofthecopyrightclaimant.See17U.S.C.§409(1).Forpurposesofcopyrightregistration,thecopyrightclaimantmustbe(i)anauthororco-authorofalloftheelementsinthecollection,or(ii)apersonororganizationthat
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
Chapter1100:21 09/29/2017
ownsalloftherightsundercopyrightthatinitiallybelongedtotheauthororco-authorsofthoseelements.See37C.F.R.§202.3(a)(3).Nootherpartyisentitledtobenamedasacopyrightclaimant.
AsdiscussedinSection1106.1,theclaimantforalloftheelementsandtheclaimantforthecollectionasawholemustbethesamepersonororganization.Anauthormaybenamedasthecopyrightclaimant,providedthatheorshecontributedcopyrightableauthorshiptoalloftheelementsandcreatedthecollectionasawhole.Likewise,anauthorwhocontributedcopyrightableauthorshiptoalloftheelementsmaybenamedasthecopyrightclaimant,evenifotherco-authorsco-createdoneormoreofthoseelements.
Inthealternative,apersonororganizationthatownsalloftherightsthatinitiallybelongedtotheauthormaybenamedasthecopyrightclaimant,butonlyifthatpartyownsthecopyrightinalloftheelementsandthecopyrightinthecollectionasawhole.Iftheclaimantdoesnotownthecopyrightinoneormoreoftheelements,thoseelementsshouldberemovedfromtheapplication,ortheyshouldbeexcludedfromtheclaimusingtheproceduresetforthinChapter600,Section621.8.
Insomecases,multiplepartiesmaybenamedasthecopyrightclaimant.Forexample,iftheapplicantintendstoregisteranumberofjointworks,theco-authorsofthoseworkscouldbenamedasco-claimants,providedthattheyjointlycreatedalloftheelementsintheworks.Likewise,twoormorepartiesmaybenamedasco-claimants,providedthattheyco-ownthecopyrightinalloftheworks.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidetheclaimant’sfullnameandaddressontheClaimantsscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace4oftheapplication.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section619.12.
Iftheauthor(s)andtheclaimantorco-claimantsnamedintheapplicationarenotthesameperson,theapplicantshouldprovideabrieftransferstatementthatexplainshowtheclaimantorco-claimantsobtainedthecopyrightintheworkssubmittedforregistration.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheClaimantsscreeninthefieldmarkedTransferStatement.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace4undertheheadingmarkedTransfer.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section620.9.
1106.3(H) Limitation of Claim
AsdiscussedinSection1106.1,alloftheelementsintheworksmustbeunpublishedandthecopyrightclaimantforalloftheelementsandthecollectionasawholemustbethesamepersonororganization.Ifanyoftheworkscontainanappreciableamountofmaterialthathasbeenpreviouslypublished,materialthatisnotownedbythecopyrightclaimant,ormaterialthatisinthepublicdomain,theapplicantshouldremovethoseworksfromtheapplicationorshouldexcludethatmaterialfromtheclaimusingtheproceduredescribedinChapter600,Sections621.8(B).
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
Chapter1100:22 09/29/2017
IfanyoftheworkscontainanappreciableamountofmaterialthathasbeenpreviouslyregisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,theapplicantshouldexcludethatmaterialfromtheclaimusingtheproceduredescribedinChapter600,Section621.8(F).
1106.3(I) Rights and Permissions Information
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmayprovidethename,address,andothercontactinformationforthepersonand/ororganizationwhoshouldbecontactedforpermissiontousetheworksthatareregisteredwiththeunpublishedcollectionoption.
Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheonlineapplication,seeChapter600,Section622.1.Atthepresenttimethereisnospaceforthisinformationonthepaperapplications.
1106.3(J) Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration
Theapplicantshouldprovidethename,address,telephonenumber,faxnumber,andemailaddress(ifany)forthepersonorpersonswhoshouldbecontactediftheOfficehasquestionsorconcernsregardingtheapplication.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheCorrespondentscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace7(b)undertheheading“Persontocontactforcorrespondenceaboutthisclaim”TheOfficewillsendallcommunicationsconcerningtheapplicationtothispersonattheaddressprovidedintheregistrationrecord.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddresswherethecertificateofregistrationshouldbesent.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheMailAddressscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedinspace9oftheapplicationundertheheading“Certificatewillbemailedinwindowenvelopetothisaddress.”
ForguidanceincompletingtheCorrespondentfield/space,seeChapter600,Section622.2.Forguidanceinprovidingthemailingaddressforthecertificate,seeChapter600,Section622.4.
1106.3(K) Special Handling
Specialhandlingisaprocedureforexpeditingtheexaminationofanapplication.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficeoffersthisserviceincertaincircumstanceswhereacopyrightownerorotherinterestedpartieshaveacompellingreasonfortheexpeditedissuanceofacertificateofregistration.TheOfficechargesanadditionalfeeforthisservice.
Foradetaileddiscussionofthisprocedure,seeChapter600,Section623.
1106.3(L) Certification
Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbyoneoftheauthor(s)namedintheapplication,bythecopyrightclaimantnamedintheapplication,byapartythatownsoneormoreofthe
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
Chapter1100:23 09/29/2017
exclusiverightsintheworks,orbyadulyauthorizedagentofoneoftheforegoingparties.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.
Thepersonwhocertifiestheapplicationcertifiesthattheinformationprovidedintheapplicationiscorrecttothebestofhisorherknowledge.Knowinglymakingafalserepresentationofamaterialfactinanapplication,orinanywrittenstatementfiledinconnectionwiththeapplication,isacrimethatispunishableunder17U.S.C.§506(e).
ForguidanceincompletingtheCertificationfield/space,seeChapter600,Section624.
1107 The Unit of Publication Option
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringanumberofworksthatwerephysicallypackagedorphysicallybundledtogetherandfirstpublishedasasingleunitonthesamedate.
1107.1 What Is a Unit of Publication?
Aunitofpublicationisapackageofseparatelyfixedcomponentelementsandworksthatarephysicallybundledtogetherfordistributiontothepublicasasingle,integratedunit,andalloftheworksarefirstpublishedinthatintegratedunit.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(4)(i)(A).
TheAgroupofself-containedworksmayqualifyasaunitofpublicationunderthefollowingcircumstances:
• Thereisatitlefortheunitasawholethatidentifiesitasasingle,integratedunit.
• Thecomponentworksandanyuncopyrightableelementsarepackagedorphysicallybundledtogetherasasingle,integratedunit,suchasaboundvolumeanddustjacket;acompactdiscwithlinernotesandcoverart;amultimediakitcontainingabook,acompactdisc,andasetofstickers;aboardgame;orthelike.
• Thecomponentworksaredistributedtothepublicasasingle,integratedunit(asopposedtobeingpackagedorphysicallybundledsimplyfordistributiontointermediaries,suchaswholesalers,distributors,orretailers).
Representativeexamplesofworksthatmaybedistributedtothepublicinasingle,integratedunitthatmayqualifyasaunitofpublicationincludethefollowing:
• Apackageofgreetingcards.
• ACDpackagedwithcoverartandaleafletcontaininglyrics.
• Aboardgamewithplayingpieces,gameboard,andinstructions.
• AbookpublishedwithaCD-ROM.
• Amultimediakitcontainingabook,acompactdisc,andaposter.
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
Chapter1100:24 09/29/2017
• Amulti-DVDpackagewithmultiplediskscontainingamotionpicture,trailers,anddeletedscenesfromthemotionpicture.
• AboxsetofmusicCDs.
• Avideogamestoredoncontainingadiscpackagedtogetherwithaninstructionbooklet,instructions,andapamphlet.
• Apackagecontainingacomputerprogramstoredonadiscpackagedtogetherwithabookletcontainingaandauser’smanual.
Inallcases,theworksmustbepackagedtogetheranddistributedtothepublicinaphysicalform.Worksthatarecombinedanddistributedtothepublicindigitalformarenoteligibleforthisoption.
Inallcases,theunitmustcontainanactualcopyorphonorecordoftheself-containedworks.Aunitthatmerelycontainsarepresentationoftheworksdoesnotsatisfythisrequirement.Forexample,aboxofjewelrycontaininganactualnecklaceandanactualsetofearringsthatarepackagedtogetherandsoldtothepublicasasingle,integratedunitwouldbeconsideredaunitofpublication.Bycontrast,acatalogthatmerelycontainsphotographsofnecklacesandearringsthatareofferedforsalewouldnotbeconsideredaunitofpublication,evenifmembersofthepublicmayordertheseitemsfromthecatalogeitheronanindividualbasisorasaset.Atbest,thecatalogcouldonlybeusedtoregisteraclaimintheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofthephotographs,butnotratherthantheactualitemsdepictedinthoseimages.
Moreover,theself-containedworksmustbedistributedtothepublicasanintegralpartoftheunit.Aunitthatmerelyoffersworkstothepublicwithoutdistributingactualcopiesorphonorecordsdoesnotsatisfythisrequirement.Likewise,worksaunitthathavebeenphysicallypackagedmerelyoffers,distributes,orbundledfordistributionorsalesellsworkstowholesalers,distributors,retailers,orotherintermediariesforthepurposeoffurtherdistribution,publicperformance,ordisplaydodoesnotsatisfythisrequirement.Forinstance,whenarecordcompanybundlesacompilationoftrackstogetherwithcoverartandlinernotes,anddistributesthemtothepubliconaphysicalasanalbum,thealbumwouldqualifyasaunitofpublication,regardlessofwhetherthetracksaredistributedonphysicalphonorecordsorasapackageoffilesfordigitaldownload.Bycontrast,whenarecordcompanydistributestrackstothepubliconanindividualbasisorlicensesitsentirecatalogtoastreamingwebsitetofacilitatethepublicperformanceofthosetracks,neitherthetracksnorthecatalogwouldqualifyasaunitofpublication.
Thefollowingarerepresentativeexamplesofworksthatcannotberegisteredasaunitpublication:
• Worksfirstpublishedonline.
• Worksthatwerefirstpublishedondifferentdates.
• Worksfirstpublishedonthesamedateeitherseparatelyorindifferentunits.
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
Chapter1100:25 09/29/2017
• Worksfirstpublishedasseparateanddiscreteworksthatweresubsequentlydistributedtogetherinthesameunit.
• Worksthatareinitiallyofferedtothegeneralpublicbothindividuallyandasaset.
• Workscreatedaspartofthesamecollection,series,orsetthathavenotbeendistributedtogetherasasingle,integratedunit.
• Worksthatsharethesamecharacters,thesametheme,orothersimilaritiesthathavenotbeendistributedtogetherasasingle,integratedunit.
• Worksofferedtothepublicasaunit,butneverdistributedtothepublic.
• Multiplephotographstakenatthesamephotoshoot.
• Acatalogwithphotographsofcopyrightableworksofferedforsale,eitherindividuallyorasaunit.
1107.2 Eligibility Requirements
Anapplicantmayregisteragroupofseparatelyfixedworkswithoneapplication,onefilingfee,andtheappropriateonesetofdepositcopies,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• Allofthecopyrightableelementsmustberecognizableasself-containedworks.
• Alloftheworksclaimedintheapplicationmustbefirstpublishedasasingleunitonthesamedate.
• Thecopyrightclaimantforalloftheworksclaimedintheunitmustbethesame.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(4)(i)(A).Foradditionalguidanceconcerningthedepositrequirementsforaunitofpublication,seeChapter1500.
Inaddition,theclaimantintheunitofpublicationmustbethepersonorentitythatphysicallybundledorcausedthebundlingoftheworksandelementstogetherintotheintegratedunit.
Worksthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredwiththeunitofpublicationoption.
Inparticular,anapplicantcannotusethisoptiontoregisteranumberofpublishedandunpublishedworks.Anapplicantcannotusethisoptioniftheworkswerepublishedondifferentdates.Anapplicantcannotusethisoptioniftheworkswerepublishedindifferentunitsorfirstdistributedasseparate,individualworks.(Foradefinitionanddiscussionofpublication,seeChapter1900.)Moreover,theunitcannotbecreatedmerelyforthepurposeofregistration;insteaditmusthavebeendistributedtothepublicasasingle,integratedunit.
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
Chapter1100:26 09/29/2017
Theapplicationshouldexpresslystatethattheapplicantisseekingtoregisteranumberofworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption.Forguidanceoncompletingtheapplication,seeSection1107.4.
Anapplicantmayusethisoptiontoregisterthecomponentworkswithinaunitofpublicationiftheclaimantistheauthorofthoseworksoracquiredthecopyrightinthoseworksthroughatransferofownership,providedthattheclaimantmanufactured,produced,published,packaged,orotherwisecreatedthesingle,integratedunitasawhole.Inotherwords,theunitofpublicationoptionmaybeusedonlyiftheclaimantpackagedtheunitasawhole.Moreover,theclaimantmustownthecopyrightinallthecomponentworksthatareclaimedintheapplication.Iftheunitcontainscomponentworksthatarenotownedbytheclaimant,theapplicantshouldexcludethoseworksfromtheclaimusingtheproceduredescribedinChapter600,Section621.8(B).
AAlthoughasingle,integratedunitofpublicationmayconstituteorcontainoneormorecollectiveworks.But,theunitofpublicationoptionisnotantheappropriatemeansforregisteringacollectiveworkorthecomponentworkscontainedthereinunlesswhenthecollectiveworkhasbeenisnotbundledtogetherwithotherseparatelyfixedcomponentworksandhasbeendistributedtothepublicasasingle,integratedunitonthesamedateelements.Forexample,abookofphotographsandtheimagescontainedthereinmayberegisteredasacollectiveworkif(i)theclaimantownsthecopyrightinboththeimagesandtheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthebookasawhole,and(ii)iftheimageshavenotbeenpreviouslypublishedorpreviouslyregisteredandiftheyarenotinthepublicdomain.Insuchcases,theapplicantthereshouldnotusebenoneedtorelyontheunitofpublicationoption.Forguidanceonregisteringacollectivework,see,Section509.1and,Sections610.4,613.8,618.7,620.8,and621.8(D).
Moreover,theunitofpublicationoptionshouldnotbeviewedasagroupregistrationoptionforregisteringcontributionstopublishedcollectiveworks.Inotherwords,itisnotanaccommodationfor“publishedcollections”thatmirrorstheaccommodationdescribedinSection1106forunpublishedcollections.Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisterthecomponentworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption,theapplicantmayregisterthoseworksonanindividualbasis.Specifically,theapplicantmayprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositcopiesforeachcomponentworkandmaysubmittheseitemsusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplication.
AsdiscussedinChapter500,Section510,theOfficegenerallyissuesonlyoneregistrationperwork.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(6).Therefore,whenanapplicantregistersanumberofself-containedworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption,theapplicantcannotaddadditionalworkstothatregistrationatalaterdate.Likewise,theapplicantcannotregisterthecomponentworkswithinaunitofpublicationandthenobtainseparateregistrationsforthoseworks,unlesstheapplicantsatisfiesoneormoreoftheexceptionssetforthinChapter500,Sections510.2or510.3.Worksthatareexcludedfromtheclaimmustberegisteredseparatelyasindividualworks.
1107.3 Registration Requirements
Toregisteranumberofworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption,theapplicantmustsubmitacompletedapplication,anappropriatedeposit,andthecorrectfilingfee.
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
Chapter1100:27 09/29/2017
Theapplicantmaysubmitanonlineapplicationthroughtheelectronicregistrationsystem,orinthealternative,theapplicantmaysubmitapaperapplicationusingFormsTX,VA,PA,orSR(butnotFormSE).TheOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantstousetheelectronicregistrationsystemratherthanapaperapplicationbecauseonlineapplicationsaremoreefficientforboththeapplicantandtheOffice.Forguidanceoncompletingtheonlineapplicationorthepaperapplication,seeSection1107.4.
IftheunitwasfirstpublishedintheUnitedStates,theapplicantshouldsubmittwocompletecopiesorphonorecordsofthebesteditionoftheunit.Iftheunitwasfirstpublishedinanothercountry,theapplicantgenerallyshouldsubmitonecompletecopyorphonorecordoftheunitasfirstpublishedoronecompletecopyorphonorecordofthebesteditionoftheunit.See37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(1)(iii),(iv).Foradefinitionanddiscussionofthebesteditionrequirements,seeChapter1500,Section1504.Asageneralrule,acopyorphonorecordofapublishedworkisconsidered“complete”ifitincludes“allelementscomprisingtheapplicableunitofpublicationofthework,includingelementsthat,ifconsideredseparately,wouldnotbecopyrightablesubjectmatter.”See37C.F.R.§202.20(b)(2)(ii).
ForguidanceonsubmittingthedepositcopiesseeChapter200,Section204.3andChapter1500,Section1508.
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.3through1403.5.
1107.4 Completing the Application
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforcompletinganapplicationtoregistermultipleworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption.
ApplicantsshouldinformtheU.S.CopyrightOfficethattheyareseekingtoregisteranumberofself-containedworksundertheunitofpublicationoption.Whencompletingtheonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationintheNotetoCopyrightOffice.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinacoverletter.
Iftheregistrationspecialistdeterminesthatthecomponentworksareeligibleforregistrationundertheunitofpublicationoption,heorshethespecialistwilladdanannotation,suchas:“Basisforregistration:Unitofpublication.”Thisastatementwillappearontothateffecttothecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordfortheclaim.
IfthespecialistdeterminesthatthecomponentworksareIftheapplicantdoesnoteligibleforexpresslyrequestregistrationunderthistheunitofpublicationoption,heorshemaythespecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicanttoclarifythescopeoftheclaim,ifthespecialistdeterminesthatthisistheonlymeansforregisteringthecomponentworkswithoneapplication.Insuchcases,thespecialistwillasktheapplicanttosubmitaseparateapplicationforeachwork,orrefusepermissiontoregisterthecomponentworksundertheunitofpublicationoption.Iftheapplicant
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
Chapter1100:28 09/29/2017
agrees,thespecialistwilladdastatementtothateffecttothecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordfortheclaim.
1107.4(A) Registration Process Overview
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmustprovidea“yes”or“no”responsetothreequestionsconcerningthework(s)thattheapplicantintendstoregister.Thequestionsinclude:
• YesorNo:Areyouregisteringonework(onesong,onepoem,oneillustration,etc.)?Check“NO”tothisquestioniftheworkisoneofthefollowing:acollectionofworks(suchas:bookofpoetry,CDofsongsand,multiplephotographsandillustrations),acollectivework,websiteordatabasebecausetheseworksdonotqualifyfortheSingleformApplication.
• YesorNo:Areyoutheonlyauthorandownerofthework(ortheagentoftheindividualauthorwhoisalsotheonlyowner)?YesorNo:Areyoutheonlyauthorandownerofthework(ortheagentoftheindividualauthorwhoisalsotheonlyowner)?Check“NO”tothisquestioniftheworkwascreatedbymultiplepeople,isa“workmadeforhire,”individuals(suchas,multipleperformers,artists,writers)orifanypartofthethisworkwascreatedbyorisownedbypreparedasa“workmadeforhire”foranotherpersonentity.
• YesorNo:Doestheworkyouaresendingcontainmaterialcreatedonlybythisauthor?YesorNo:Doestheworkyouaresendingcontainmaterialcreatedonlybythisauthor?Check“NO”tothisquestionifthecopyincludesmorethanoneperformer,writer,artist,actor,orifitcontainscontentorcontributionsbyanyoneelse,eveniftheclaimislimitedtoonlythecontributionbythisauthororthematerialhasbeenlicensed,permissionedortransferredtotheclaimant.
BasedonWhenregisteringmultipleworksundertheresponsesprovided,theelectronicregistrationsystemwilldirecttheapplicanttotheSingleApplicationortheStandardApplication.
TheSingleApplicationcannotbeusedtoregisteraunitofpublication.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(2)(i)(B).Iftheapplicantintendstoregisteranumberofworksasaunitofpublicationoption,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“no”thatappearsnexttothequestion“Areyouregisteringonework?”ThiswilldirecttheapplicanttotheStandardApplication,ratherthantheSingleApplication.
Worksregisteredundertheunitofpublicationoptionarenotconsidered“onework,”eventhoughtheymaybetreatedasasingleworkforregistrationpurposesunderSection202.3(b)(4)IftheapplicantattemptstousetheSingleApplicationtoregistermultipleworksbundledasaunitofpublication,theoftheregulations(i.e.,forthepurposeofregisteringtheworkswithoneapplication).Therefore,iftheapplicantcheckstheboxmarked“yes,”theregistrationspecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicant.Thismaydelaytheexaminationoftheapplication.Inaddition,theOfficemayassignalatereffectivedateofregistrationtotheclaim.
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
Chapter1100:29 09/29/2017
NOTE:Thestatementslistedaboveappearintheonlineapplication,buttheydonotappearinanyofthepaperapplications.
1107.4(B) Type of Work
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldselecttheclassofworkthatismostappropriatefortheworksthattheapplicantintendstoregisterandtheauthorshipthatappearsinthoseworks.TheseclassesarelistedunderadropdownmenumarkedTypeofWork.Identifyingtheclassofworksthatwillbesubmittedforregistrationisalsothefirststepincompletingapaperapplication.TheOfficehasprescribedfivebasicclassesofworksthatmayberegisteredwithapaperapplication,andeachoftheseclasseshasitsownpaperform.
Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheonlineapplicationorguidanceinselectinganappropriatepaperapplication,seeSection1106.3(B)above.
1107.4(C) Title
Theapplicantshouldprovidetheprimarytitleoftheunitofpublicationthatwillbesubmittedforregistration(includinganysubtitles),eventhoughthe“unit”itselfisnotawork.TheapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationintheTitleofThisWorkfieldoftheonlineapplication.
Thetitlesoftheself-containedworksthatappearwithintheunitofpublication,ifany,maybeprovidedintheContentsTitlefield.Iftheapplicantprovidesthesetitlesintheapplication,theywillappearonthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordundertheheadingContentsTitle.
Applicantsareencouragedtoprovideatitleforeachworkthatissubmittedforregistration.Ifaworkisknownbyaparticulartitle,interestedpartieslikelywillusethattitletosearchforthework,anditmaybeextremelydifficulttofindaparticularworkiftheapplicantfailstoprovidethatinformationintheapplication.
ThetotalnumberofcharactersthatmaybeprovidedintheContentsTitlefieldislimited.Applicantsarestronglyencouragedtoprovideonetitleinthefield,thenclicktheSavebutton,andthenrepeatthisprocessinordertopreventlossofdataduetospacelimitations.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethetitlefortheunitofpublicationand/orthetitle(s)oftheworkscontainedthereininspace1oftheapplication.Ifadditionalspaceisneeded,theapplicantmayprovidethetitlesusingFormCON.Iftheapplicantprovidesthisinformationintheapplication,thetitleofeachworkmaybeincludedinthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordunlesstheapplicantprovidesasubstantialnumberoftitlesonFormCON.
Inallcases,thetitlesoftheworkscontainedwithintheunitofpublicationshouldbelistedintheapplicationinthesameorderthattheyappearinthedepositcopies.
Foradditionalguidanceincompletingthetitlefield/spaceoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Sections610.2and610.4.
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
Chapter1100:30 09/29/2017
1107.4(D) Publication / Completion
Whenregisteringanumberofworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption,alloftheworkssubmittedforregistrationmustbephysicallypackagedorphysicallybundledtogetherinasingleunitandfirstdistributedtothepublicasaunit.SeeSection1107.2.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantwillbeaskedtoprovidethedateofpublicationonthePublication/Completionscreen.Specifically,theapplicantshouldselect“yes”inthedropdownmenumarked“Hasthisworkbeenpublished?”Inthefieldmarked“DateofFirstPublication,”theapplicantshouldprovidethespecificmonth,day,andyearthattheunitwasdistributedtothepublicforthefirsttime.Iftheapplicantindicatesthattheworkshavebeenpublished,butfailstoprovidethespecificmonth,day,andyearthatpublicationoccurred,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldenterthemonth,day,andyearoffirstpublicationonspace3(b)undertheheading“DateandNationofFirstPublicationofThisParticularWork.”
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldidentifytheyearthatthecomponentworkswerecompletedonthePublication/CompletionscreeninthefieldmarkedYearofCompletion(YearofCreation).Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldidentifytheyearthattheauthorcompletedthecomponentworksonspace3(a)undertheheading“Yearinwhichcreationofthisworkwascompleted.”Ifthecomponentworkswerecreatedoveraperiodofthirteenmonthsormore,theapplicantshouldprovidetheyearofcompletionforthemostrecentworkthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.
Foradditionalguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section611.1.
1107.4(E) Authors of the Component Works
AsdiscussedinSection1107.2,anapplicantmayregisterthecomponentworkswithinaunitofpublicationiftheclaimantistheauthorofthoseworksoriftheclaimanthasacquiredthecopyrightinthoseworksthroughatransferofownership.
Inallcases,theapplicantshouldidentifytheauthororauthorsofthecomponentworksthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethefullnameofeachauthorontheAuthorsscreen.Iftheworkswerecreatedbymorethanoneauthor,theapplicantshouldcompletetherelevantfields,clicktheSavebutton,andthenrepeatthisprocessfortheotherauthors.
Theapplicantshouldprovidethecountryofcitizenshipordomicileforeachauthornamedintheapplication.Iftheapplicantfailstoprovidethisinformation,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.Iftheauthor’scitizenshipordomicileisunknown,theapplicantmayselect“notknown”fromthedropdownmenu.
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
Chapter1100:31 09/29/2017
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldidentifytheauthororco-authorsofthecomponentwork(s)inspace2undertheheadingmarkedNameofAuthor.Ifthecomponentworkswerecreatedbythreeormoreauthors,theapplicantmayidentifytheotherauthorsonFormCON.
Forguidanceinprovidingthename(s)oftheauthor(s)ofthecomponentworks,seeChapter600,Section613.8.Forguidanceinidentifyingworkscreatedbylargenumbersofauthors,seeChapter600,Section613.10(F).Forguidanceinprovidingtheauthor’scitizenshipanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.
Iftheworkscontainedwithintheunitofpublicationqualifyasanonymousorpseudonymousworks,theapplicantmaychecktheappropriateboxesthatappearintheanonymous/pseudonymousfields/spaces.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofanonymousandpseudonymousworks,seeChapter600,Sections615.1and615.2.
ForguidanceconcerningtheYearofBirthandYearofDeathfields/spaces,seeChapter600,Section616.
1107.4(F) Manufacturer, Publisher, Producer, Packager, or Creator of the Unit of Publication
AsdiscussedinSection1107.2,aunitofpublicationcannotbecreatedmerelyforthepurposeofregistration.Instead,theworksmusthavebeenpackagedanddistributedtothepublicasasingle,integratedunit.Anapplicantmayregisterthecomponentworkscontainedwithinaunitofpublication,providedthattheclaimantmanufactured,produced,published,packaged,orotherwisecreatedthesingle,integratedunit.Inotherwords,theunitofpublicationoptionmaybeusedonlyiftheclaimantpackagedorbundledtheunitasawhole,orcausedtheunittobepackagedorbundledtogether.
Whencompletingtheonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovideabriefstatementintheNotetoCopyrightOfficefieldindicatingthattheclaimantisthemanufacturer,producer,publisher,packager,orothercreatoroftheunitasawhole.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantmayprovidethisinformationinacoverletter.Iftheregistrationspecialistdeterminesthatthesingle,integratedunitiseligibleforregistrationundertheunitofpublicationoption,thespecialistwilladdthisinformationtothecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordfortheclaim.
1107.4(G) Author Created / Nature of Authorship
Theapplicantshouldprovideabriefstatementthatdescribesthecomponentworksthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.
Ifthesameauthorcreatedallthecomponentworkswithintheunit,theapplicantshouldcheckoneormoreoftheboxesintheAuthorCreatedfieldthataccuratelydescribethoseself-containedworks.Forexample,iftheunitofpublicationconsistsofashrink-wrappedpackagewithaCD-ROMcontainingacomputerprogram,abookletcontainingauser’smanual,andcoverartwork,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxesmarked“computerprogram,”“text,”and“artwork.”Iftheunitofpublicationconsistsofaphysicalanalbumcontainingmusic,lyrics,soundrecording,artwork,andlinernotes,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxboxesmarked“music,”“lyrics,”and“soundrecording”
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
Chapter1100:32 09/29/2017
andintheboxmarkedOthertheapplicantshouldstate“music,”“lyrics,”“artwork,”and“textoflinernotes.”
Ifthecomponentworkswerecreatedbydifferentauthors,theapplicantshouldprovidethefollowinginformationintheonlineapplication:
• OntheAuthorsscreentheapplicantshouldprovidethenameoftheindividualorentitythatcreatedoneofthecomponentworks.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section613.9.
• OntheAuthorCreatedscreen,theapplicantshouldcheckoneormoreoftheboxesthataccuratelydescribethecomponentwork(s)thattheauthorcontributedtotheunitofpublication.Forexample,iftheauthorcontributedoneormoreofthesoundrecordingswithinamultimediakitthatcontainssoundrecordings,musicalworks,text,artwork,andotherformsofauthorship,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“soundrecording.”Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethetitleofthatcomponentwork(ifany)inthefieldmarkedOther.Currently,thetotalamountoftextthatmaybeprovidedintheAuthorCreated/Otherfieldislimitedto100charactersorless.Ifmorespaceisrequired,theapplicantshouldprovidetheadditionalinformationintheNotetoCopyrightOfficefield.
• OntheClaimantscreentheapplicantshouldprovideanappropriatetransferstatementthatexplainshowtheclaimantobtainedthecopyrightinthatwork.Forguidanceonprovidingatransferstatement,seeChapter600,Section620.9.
Iftheunitcontainscomponentworkscreatedbyotherauthors,theapplicantshouldrepeatthisprocessforeachcomponentworkthattheapplicantintendstoregister.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace2undertheheadingmarkedNatureofAuthorship.Ifmorespaceisrequired,theapplicantmayprovideadditionalinformationonFormCON.
1107.4(H) Claimants / Transfer Statement
Toregisteranumberofworksusingtheunitofpublicationoption,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddressofthecopyrightclaimant.See17U.S.C.§409(1).Forpurposesofcopyrightregistration,thecopyrightclaimantmustbe(i)theauthororco-authorofallthecomponentworkswithintheunitthatareclaimedintheapplication,or(ii)apersonororganizationthatownsalloftherightsundercopyrightthatinitiallybelongedtotheauthororco-authorsofthoseworks.See37C.F.R.§202.3(a)(3).Nootherpartyisentitledtobenamedasacopyrightclaimant.
Ifthesameperson(s)ororganization(s)createdallthecomponentworkswithintheunitthatareclaimedintheapplication,theapplicantmaynametheauthororco-authorsasthecopyrightclaimant.Inthealternative,theapplicantmayprovidethenameofthepersonororganizationthatacquiredthecopyrightinthoseworksthroughatransferofownership.
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
Chapter1100:33 09/29/2017
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidetheclaimant’sfullnameandaddressontheClaimantsscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace4oftheapplication.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section619.12.
Iftheauthor(s)andtheclaimantorco-claimantsnamedintheapplicationarenotthesameperson,theapplicantshouldprovideabrieftransferstatementthatexplainshowtheclaimantorco-claimantsobtainedthecopyrightinthecomponentworks.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheClaimantsscreeninthefieldmarkedTransferStatement.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace4undertheheadingmarkedTransfer.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section620.9.
1107.4(I) Limitation of Claim
AsdiscussedinSection1107.2,alloftheworksinaunitofpublicationmustbephysicallybundledtogetherbytheclaimantinasingle,integratedunit,theymustbefirstpublishedonthesamedate,andtheclaimantforallofthoseworksmustbethesamepersonororganization.
Aclaimantmayusetheunitofpublicationoptiononlyifthatpartypackagedorbundledtheunitasawhole,orifthatpartycausedtheunittobepackagedorbundledtogether.Moreover,theunitofpublicationoptioncannotbeusedtoregisteranyoftheworksintheunitthathavebeenpreviouslypublishedoranyworksthatarenotownedbythecopyrightclaimant(althoughsuchworksmayberegisteredseparately).Iftheunitcontainspreviouslypublishedmaterialorthirdpartymaterial,theapplicantshouldexcludethatmaterialfromtheclaimusingtheproceduredescribedinChapter600,Section621.8(B).Theexcludedworksmustberegisteredseparatelyasindividualworks.
IftheunitcontainsmaterialthathasbeenpreviouslyregisteredwiththeCopyrightOffice,theapplicantshouldexcludethatmaterialfromtheclaimusingtheproceduredescribedinChapter600,Section621.8(F).
1107.4(J) Rights and Permissions Information
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmayprovidethename,address,andothercontactinformationforthepersonand/ororganizationwhoshouldbecontactedforpermissiontousetheworksthatareregisteredwiththeunitofpublicationoption.
Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheonlineapplication,seeChapter600,Section622.1.Atthepresenttime,thereisnospaceforthisinformationonthepaperapplications.
1107.4(K) Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration
Theapplicantshouldprovidethename,address,telephonenumber,faxnumber,andemailaddress(ifany)forthepersonorpersonswhoshouldbecontactediftheOffice
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
Chapter1100:34 09/29/2017
hasquestionsorconcernsregardingtheapplication.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheCorrespondentscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace7(b)undertheheading“Persontocontactforcorrespondenceaboutthisclaim.”TheOfficewillsendallcommunicationsconcerningtheapplicationtothispersonattheaddressprovidedintheregistrationrecord.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddresswherethecertificateofregistrationshouldbesent.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheMailAddressscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedinspace9oftheapplicationundertheheading“Certificatewillbemailedinwindowenvelopetothisaddress.”
ForguidanceincompletingtheCorrespondentfield/space,seeChapter600,Section622.2.Forguidanceinprovidingthemailingaddressforthecertificate,seeChapter600,Section622.4.
1107.4(L) Special Handling
Specialhandlingisaprocedureforexpeditingtheexaminationofanapplication.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficeoffersthisserviceincertaincircumstanceswhereacopyrightownerorotherinterestedpartieshaveacompellingreasonfortheexpeditedissuanceofacertificateofregistration.TheOfficechargesanadditionalfeeforthisservice.
Foradetaileddiscussionofthisprocedure,seeChapter600,Section623.
1107.4(M) Certification
Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbyoneoftheauthor(s)namedintheapplication,bythecopyrightclaimantnamedintheapplication,byapartythatownsoneormoreoftheexclusiverightsintheworks,orbyadulyauthorizedagentofoneoftheforegoingparties.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.
Thepersonwhocertifiestheapplicationcertifiesthattheinformationprovidedintheapplicationiscorrecttothebestofhisorherknowledge.Knowinglymakingafalserepresentationofamaterialfactinanapplication,orinanywrittenstatementfiledinconnectionwiththeapplication,isacrimethatispunishableunder17U.S.C.§506(e).
ForguidanceincompletingtheCertificationfield/space,seeChapter600,Section624.
1108 Warnings
Worksregisteredundertheunitofpublicationoptionortheunpublishedcollectionoptionmaycontaincopyrightableanduncopyrightablematerial.Asageneralrule,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillissuearegistrationifsomeoftheworkssetforthinthedepositcopy(ies)containasufficientamountoforiginalauthorship.
Iftheregistrationspecialistdeterminesthatthedepositcopy(ies)containmaterialthatiscopyrightableandmaterialthatisclearlyuncopyrightable,heorshemayregistertheclaimwithoutcommunicatingwiththeapplicant.However,thespecialistmaysendthe
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
Chapter1100:35 09/29/2017
applicantawrittencommunicationwarningthattheregistrationdoesnotcovertheuncopyrightablematerial.Ifthedepositcopy(ies)containarelativelysmallnumberofworksorifitisrelativelyeasytoidentifytheuncopyrightablematerial,thespecialistmayidentifytheuncopyrightablematerialinhisorherwrittencommunication.Ifthedepositcopy(ies)containalargenumberofworksorifitisdifficultorimpracticaltoidentifytheuncopyrightablematerial,thespecialistmayormaynotproviderepresentativeexamplesofthecopyrightableanduncopyrightablematerial.
ThiscommunicationwillbesenttotheaddressoremailaddressprovidedintheCorrespondentportionoftheapplication.Thespecialistwillplaceacopyofthecommunicationintheregistrationrecord,andthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecordwillindicatethepresenceofcorrespondenceinthefile.
Warningsareintendedtoputtheapplicant,theclaimant,thecourts,andthegeneralpubliconnoticethattheregistrationdoesnotnecessarilycoveralloftheworksoreveryelementoftheworkssubmittedforregistration.TheyalsoindicatethattheOfficedidnotnecessarilyexamineeachworkoreachelementoftheworksforcopyrightableauthorship.
1109 Group Registration of Serials
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringagroupofserials.
Forguidanceonregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionsfordailynewspapersanddailynewsletters,seeSections1110and1111.Foranoverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthegroupregistrationoptionsforserials,dailynewspapers,anddailynewsletters,seeSection1118.Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionforcontributionstoperiodicals,seeSection1115.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofSerialIssuesFiledElectronically,77Fed.Reg.66,920(Nov.8,2012);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofSerials,55Fed.Reg.50,556(Dec.7,1990).
1109.1 What Is a Serial?
Forpurposesofthisgroupregistrationoption,aserialisdefinedasaworkthatisissuedorintendedtobeissuedonanestablishedscheduleinsuccessivepartsbearingnumericalorchronologicaldesignationsthatareintendedtobecontinuedindefinitely.Examplesincludeperiodicals,newspapers,magazines,newsletters,journals,bulletins,annuals,theproceedingsofsocieties,andothersimilarworks.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(1)(v).
1109.2 Eligibility Requirements
AgroupofserialsmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• EachissueinthegroupmustbeaserialasdefinedinSection1109.1.
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
Chapter1100:36 09/29/2017
• Thegroupmustcontainatleasttwoissues.
• Eachissuemustbeanessentiallyall-newcollectiveworkthathasbeenpublishedforthefirsttime.
• Theauthor(s)andthecopyrightclaimant(s)foralloftheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization.
• Theclaimtocopyrightmustbelimitedtothecollectivework.
• Eachissuemustbeaworkmadeforhire.
• Eachissuemustbecreatednomorethanoneyearpriortopublication.
• Theserialmustbepublishedatanintervalofaweekorlonger,suchasaweekly,biweekly,ormonthlypublication.
• Alloftheissuesmustbepublishedwithinaperiodofthreemonths(e.g.,January1stthroughMarch31st,February1stthroughApril30th,October1stthroughDecember31st,etc.).
• Alloftheissuesmustbepublishedinthesamecalendaryear.
• TheLibraryofCongressmustreceivetwocomplimentarycopiespromptlyafterpublicationofeachissueoftheserial.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(6)(i).
Serialsthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.
TheregulationestablishingthisoptionbecameeffectiveonJanuary7,1991.Serialspublishedbeforethatdatearenoteligibleforgroupregistration.
TheCopyrightActdefinesacollectiveworkas“awork,suchasaperiodicalissue,anthology,orencyclopedia,inwhichanumberofcontributions,constitutingseparateandindependentworksinthemselves,areassembledintoacollectivewhole.”17U.S.C.§101.Asdiscussedabove,eachissueinthegroupmustbeanessentiallyall-newcollectiveworkthathasbeenpublishedforthefirsttime.Inotherwords,theissuesincludedinthegroupcannotbederivativeversionsofapreviouslypublishedissueoraserialthatisfrequentlymodified,updated,oradapted.Forthesamereason,awebsitecannotberegisteredwiththegroupoptionforserials.,suchasawebsite.
Bydefinition,acollectiveworkcontainstwodistinctformsofauthorship:
• Thecompilationauthorshipincreatingtheserial,whichinvolvesselecting,coordinating,andarranginganumberofseparateandindependentworksandassemblingthemintoacollectivewhole;and
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
Chapter1100:37 09/29/2017
• Theauthorshipintheseparateandindependentworksincludedwithintheserial,suchasanarticleorphotograph.
Bothformsofauthorshipmayberegisteredusingthegroupregistrationoptionforserials,providedthat(i)thecontributionsandthecollectiveworkasawholewerecreatedbytheauthornamedintheapplication,and(ii)theauthorandtheclaimantarethesame(i.e.,theauthorownsthecopyrightinthatmaterial).
Agroupregistrationonlycoversmaterialcreatedandownedbytheauthor/claimantnamedintheapplication.Itdoesnotcovermaterialcreatedbyauthorswhoarenotnamedintheapplicationorcontributionsthatarenotownedbythecopyrightclaimant.Inparticular,theOfficewillnotacceptanapplicationthatpurportstoregisterarticles,photographs,orothercontributionscreatedbyapersonwhotransferredthecopyrightinhisorherworktotheauthor/claimant.
Asdiscussedabove,thegroupmustcontainatleasttwoissuesandalloftheissuesmustbepublishedwithinathree-monthperiodduringthesamecalendaryear,butotherwisethereisnolimitonthenumberofissuesthatmaybeincludedwithineachgroup.
Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisteraparticularissueusingthegroupregistrationoptionforserials,theapplicantmaysubmitaseparateapplicationforthatissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1109.3 Application Requirements
AgroupofserialsmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficebysubmittinganonlineapplicationthroughtheOffice’selectronicregistrationsystem.Inthealternative,theapplicantmaysubmitapaperapplicationusingFormSE/Group.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(6)(v).
TheOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantstousetheelectronicregistrationsystemratherthanFormSE/Group,becauseonlineapplicationsaremoreefficientforboththeapplicantandtheOffice.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofSerialIssuesFiledElectronically,77Fed.Reg.66,920,66,921(Nov.8,2012).
ForguidanceoncompletingtheonlineapplicationandFormSE/Group,seeSection1109.7.
1109.4 Filing Fee Requirements
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(6)(v)(A)(2),(b)(6)(v)(B)(2).ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormSE/Group(serials)(perissue,withminimum2issues)”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.3through1403.5.
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
Chapter1100:38 09/29/2017
1109.5 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofserials.
1109.5(A) Serials Subject to the Complimentary Subscription Requirement
ThedepositrequirementforthisgroupregistrationoptionvariesdependingonwhethertheLibraryofCongresshasselectedtheserialforitscollections.
Iftheserialhasneverbeenregisteredusingthegroupregistrationoption,theapplicantshouldcontacttheCopyrightAcquisitionsDivision(“CAD”)todeterminewhethertheLibraryhasselectedtheserialforitscollections.Specifically,theapplicantmayprovidethetitleoftheserial,thenameofthepublisher,theInternationalStandardSerialNumber(“ISSN”)thathasbeenassignedtotheserial(ifany),andthename,address,email,andphonenumberfortheapplicantusingtheformpostedontheU.S.CopyrightOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/mandatory/cad_comment.html).IftheLibrarychoosestoincludetheserialinitscollections,CADwillnotifytheapplicantinwriting.Whensubmittinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldtranscribethecontentofthiscommunicationintheNotetoCopyrightOfficefield.WhensubmittinganapplicationforgroupregistrationusingFormSE/Grouptheapplicantshouldattachacopyofthiscommunicationtotheapplication.
IftheLibraryhasselectedtheserialforitscollections,theapplicantmustprovidetheLibrarywithtwocomplimentarysubscriptions,andtheapplicantmustsubmitaletterconfirmingthattwocomplimentarysubscriptionshavebeenprovided.See37C.F.R.§§202.3(b)(6)(ii),202.20(c)(2)(xvii).Thelettershouldidentifythetitleoftheserial,thenameofthepublisher,andthevolume,number,andissuedateforthefirstissuethatwillbedeliveredtotheLibraryunderthesubscription.Boththeletterandthesubscriptioncopiesshouldbesenttothefollowingaddress:
LibraryofCongressGroupPeriodicalsRegistration101IndependenceAvenueSEWashington,DC20540-4161
Providinganongoing,complimentarysubscriptionandpromptlydeliveringthesubscriptioncopiestotheLibraryafterthepublicationofeachissueisamandatoryrequirementforserialsthathavebeenselectedbytheLibrary.ProvidingcomplimentarysubscriptionsalsosatisfiesthemandatorydepositrequirementssetforthinSection407oftheCopyrightAct.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofSerials,55Fed.Reg.50,556,50,556(Dec.7,1990).Applicantswhoseserialshavebeenselectedmaynotusethisgroupregistrationoptionunlesstheyprovidecomplimentarysubscriptions,andtheprivilegeofusingthisoptionmayberevokedifanapplicantfailstodelivercomplimentarysubscriptioncopiesonapromptandregularbasis.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(6)(iv).
1109.5(B) Serials Not Subject to the Complimentary Subscription Requirement
Providingcomplimentarysubscriptionsisamandatoryrequirementforregisteringagroupofserials,butonlyiftheLibraryofCongresshasselectedtheserialforits
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
Chapter1100:39 09/29/2017
collections.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofSerialIssuesFiledElectronically,77Fed.Reg.66,920,66,921(Nov.8,2012).
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasadoptedaninterimpracticeforserialsthathavenotbeenselectedbytheLibrarythatallowsapplicantstosubmitonecompletecopyofeachissueinthegroupwithoutprovidingacomplimentarysubscription.Forinformationconcerningthisprocedure,seeCircular62b,CopyrightRegistrationforaGroupofSerialIssuesat2.
1109.5(C) One Complete Copy of Each Issue
Inallcases,theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofeachissuethatisincludedinthegroupalongwiththeapplication.
IftheapplicantsubmitsapaperapplicationusingFormSE/Group,theapplicantshouldsubmitonecompletecopyofthebesteditionofeachissue.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofthebesteditionrequirements,seeChapter1500,Section1504.
Iftheapplicantsubmitsanonlineapplication,theapplicantmaysubmitanelectroniccopyoraphysicalcopyofeachissue,althoughtheU.S.CopyrightOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantstosubmitelectroniccopieswheneverpossible.Specifically,theapplicantshouldsubmit(i)onecompletecopyofeachissueinadigitalformatthatcomplieswiththerequirementssetforthinsections202.20(b)(2)(iii)(B)and202.20(b)(2)(iii)(C)oftheregulationsor(ii)onecompletecopyofthebesteditionofeachissue.
ForguidanceonsubmittingthedepositcopyseeSection1109.8.
See37C.F.R.§§202.3(b)(6)(v)(A)(3),(b)(6)(v)(B)(3),and202.20(c)(2)(xvii).
1109.6 When May an Application for a Group Registration Be Filed?
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillregisteragroupofserialspublishedwithinathree-monthperiodduringthesamecalendaryear,providedthattheapplicantcomplieswiththerequirementssetforthinSections1109.2through1109.5.TheOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantswhousethisgroupregistrationoptiontosubmittheapplication,depositcopies,andfilingfeewithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationfortheearliestserialinthegroup.
1109.7 Completing the Application: Group Registration of Serials
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforregisteringagroupofserialswithanonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE/Group.
1109.7(A) Type of Group
Toregisteragroupofserialswithanonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldbeginbyclickingthephrase“RegisteraGroupClaim,”whichappearsonthehomepageoftheelectronicregistrationsystem.
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
Chapter1100:40 09/29/2017
Theapplicantshouldidentifythetypeofgroupthatheorsheintendstoregister.Foragroupofserials,theapplicantshouldselect“SerialIssues”fromthedropdownmenuthatappearsontheTypeofGroupscreen.
1109.7(B) Title
Theapplicantshouldprovidethetitleoftheserialexactlyasitappearsonthedepositcopies,includinganysubtitle(s).Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheTitlescreeninthefieldmarkedSerialTitle.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationonspace1ofFormSE/Group.
TheapplicantshouldcompletethefieldmarkedPrevious/AlternativeTitleintheonlineapplication(i)iftheserialwaspreviouslypublishedunderadifferenttitle,(ii)iftheserialisknownbyadifferenttitleorbyatitlethatiswritteninadifferentlanguage,or(iii)ifapersonwouldlikelysearchfortheserialintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’srecordsunderadifferenttitle.Asageneralrule,asubtitleisnotconsideredaPreviousorAlternativeTitle.
Applicantscannotprovidetitlesforthevariousarticles,photographs,illustrations,orothercontributionsthatappearwithineachissuewhensubmittinganapplicationforagroupregistration(regardlessofwhethertheapplicationissubmittedthroughtheelectronicregistrationsystemorwithapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE/Group).Iftheapplicantwouldliketoincludethisinformationintheregistrationrecord,theapplicantmustsubmitaseparateapplicationforeachissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1109.7(C) ISSN Numbers
IfanInternationalStandardSerialNumber(“ISSN”)hasbeenassignedtotheserial,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheTitlescreenoftheonlineapplication.Specifically,theapplicantshouldselectISSNfromthedropdownmenumarkedISNTypeandtheapplicantshouldprovidetherelevantnumberinthefieldmarkedInternationalStandardNumber.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace1undertheheadingmarkedISSN.
ForageneraldiscussionofISSNnumbers,seeChapter600,Section612.6(C).
1109.7(D) Nation of First Publication / Author’s Citizenship or Domicile
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldidentifythecountrywheretheissueswerefirstpublishedbyselectingoneofthecountrieslistedinthedropdownmenumarkedNationofFirstPublication.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillusethisinformationtodeterminewhethertheissuesareeligibleforcopyrightprotectionintheUnitedStates.Iftheapplicantfailstoprovideanationoffirstpublication,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.Ifthenationof
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
Chapter1100:41 09/29/2017
firstpublicationisunknown,theapplicantmayselect“unknown”fromthedropdownmenu.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethenationoffirstpublicationortheauthor’scountryofcitizenshipordomicileinspace2ofFormSE/GroupiftheworkwascreatedbyaforeignauthororiftheworkwasfirstpublishedoutsidetheUnitedStates.
Foradefinitionanddiscussionofthenationoffirstpublication,seeChapter600,Section612.Foradefinitionanddiscussionoftheauthor’scitizenshipanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.
1109.7(E) Volume, Number, Issue Date, and Date of Publication
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethevolume,number,andissuedate(ifany)thatappearsonthedepositcopyforeachissueinthegroup.ThisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheTitlescreen.Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethedateofpublication(month,day,andyear)foreachissue.Iftheapplicantfailstoprovideadateofpublication,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.
Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationonspace1ofFormSE/Group.Theissuesthatareincludedinthegroupshouldbelistedintheapplicationinchronologicalorder.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldstate“Nopreviousregistrationunderidenticaltitle”intheNotetoCopyrightOfficefieldifthisisthefirsttimethattheserialhasbeensubmittedforregistrationusingthegroupregistrationoption.IftheapplicantreceivedawrittencommunicationfromCADindicatingthattheLibraryhasorhasnotincludedtheserialinitscollections,theapplicantshouldtranscribethatstatementintheNotetoCopyrightOfficefield.SeeSection1109.5(A).
WhencompletingapaperapplicationonFormSE/Group,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“Nopreviousregistrationunderidenticaltitle”ifthisisthefirsttimethattheserialhasbeensubmittedforregistrationusingthegroupregistrationoption.IftheapplicantreceivedawrittencommunicationfromCADindicatingthattheLibraryhasorhasnotincludedtheserialinitscollections,theapplicantshouldattachacopyofthatcommunicationtotheapplication.SeeSection1109.5(A).
Forageneraldiscussionofpublicationissues,seeChapter600,Section612.
1109.7(F) Author / Claimant
AsdiscussedinSection1109.2,alloftheissuesinthegroupmustbecreatedbythesameauthor(s),thecopyrightineachissuemustbeownedbythesamecopyrightclaimant(s),andtheauthor(s)andtheclaimant(s)mustbethesamepersonororganization.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor/claimant’sfullnameandtheauthor/claimant’saddressontheAuthor/Claimant
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
Chapter1100:42 09/29/2017
screen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationonspace2ofFormSE/Group.
Theapplicantdoesnotneedtodescribethematerialthattheauthorcreated,becausebydefinition,aregistrationforagroupofserialsonlycovers(i)thecontributionscreatedbytheauthornamedintheapplicationand(ii)thecompilationauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthecollectiveworkasawhole.SeeSection1109.2;seealsoRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationOptions,73Fed.Reg.23,390,23,391-92(Apr.30,2008)(“[A]descriptionofnewmatterwithinawork…isnolongerexplicitlyrequiredonthegroupregistrationformbecausemanyofthegroupoptionsrequirethattheworksincludedinthegroupingbe‘essentiallynew’withrespecttotheirauthorship.”).
Iftheserialcontainsarticles,photographs,orothercontributionsthatwerecreatedbyanauthorwhotransferredthecopyrightinhisorherworktotheclaimant,theapplicantcannotregisterthosecontributionsusingthegroupregistrationoptionforserials.Instead,theapplicantshouldprepareaseparateapplicationforeachissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1109.7(G) Rights and Permissions Information
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmayprovidethename,address,andothercontactinformationforthepersonand/ororganizationwhoshouldbecontactedforpermissiontousetheissuesthatareincludedinthegroup.Providingthisinformationisoptional,andanapplicationwillbeacceptedevenifthisportionoftheapplicationisleftblank.
Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheonlineapplication,seeChapter600,Section622.1.CurrentlythereisnospaceforthisinformationonFormSE/Group.
1109.7(H) Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration
Theapplicantshouldprovidethename,address,telephonenumber,faxnumber,andemailaddress(ifany)forthepersonorpersonswhoshouldbecontactediftheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasquestionsorconcernsregardingtheapplication.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheCorrespondentscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationundertheheadingmarked“Persontocontactforcorrespondenceaboutthisclaim.”Asageneralrule,theOfficewillsendallcommunicationstothispersonattheaddressprovidedintheregistrationrecord.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddresswherethecertificateofregistrationshouldbesent.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheMailAddressscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedundertheheadingmarked“Certificatewillbemailedinwindowenvelopetothisaddress.”
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
Chapter1100:43 09/29/2017
ForguidanceincompletingtheCorrespondentfield/space,seeChapter600,Section622.2.Forguidanceinprovidingthemailingaddressforthecertificate,seeChapter600,Section622.4.
1109.7(I) Special Handling
Specialhandlingisaprocedureforexpeditingtheexaminationofanapplication.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficeoffersthisserviceincertaincircumstanceswhereacopyrightownerorotherinterestedpartieshaveacompellingreasonfortheexpeditedissuanceofacertificateofregistration.TheOfficechargesanadditionalfeeforthisservice.
Foradetaileddiscussionofthisprocedure,seeChapter600,Section623.
1109.7(J) Certification
Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbytheauthor/claimantnamedintheapplicationoradulyauthorizedagentoftheauthor/claimant.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.
Thepersonwhocertifiestheapplicationcertifiesthattheinformationprovidedintheapplicationiscorrecttothebestofhisorherknowledge.Knowinglymakingafalserepresentationofamaterialfactinanapplication,orinanywrittenstatementfiledinconnectionwiththeapplication,isacrimethatispunishableunder17U.S.C.§506(e).
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantwillbeaskedtocertifytheapplicationontheCertificationscreen.Specifically,theapplicantshouldprovidethefirstandlastnameoftheindividualwhoiscertifyingtheapplicationinthespacemarkedNameofCertifyingIndividualandshouldchecktheboxthatreads,“IcertifythatIamtheauthor,copyrightclaimant,orownerofexclusiverights,ortheauthorizedagentoftheauthor,copyrightclaimant,orownerofexclusiverightsofthisworkandthattheinformationgiveninthisapplicationiscorrecttothebestofmyknowledge.”See37C.F.R.§202.3(c)(2)(ii).Thereisnoneedtodatethecertificationinanonlineapplication;thedatewillbeaddedautomaticallywhentheapplicationisreceivedbytheU.S.CopyrightOffice.SeeOnlineRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,72Fed.Reg.36,883,36,887(July6,2007).
WhencompletingFormSE/Group,theapplicantshouldsignanddatetheapplicationinthespacemarked“Handwrittensignature.”Thefirstandlastnameofthepersonwhosignedtheapplicationshouldbetypedorprintedonthespacemarked“Typedorprintedname.”
1109.8 Submitting the Deposit
AsdiscussedinSection1109.5,theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofeachissuethatisincludedinthegroup,regardlessofwhethertheapplicantsubmitsanonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationandregardlessofwhethertheserialissubjecttothecomplimentarysubscriptionrequirement.
Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmayuploadanelectroniccopyofeachissuethroughtheelectronicregistrationsystem.Thefileforeachissueshouldnot
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
Chapter1100:44 09/29/2017
exceed170megabytes,andeachfileshouldbeuploadedsequentiallyinchronologicalorder.Whenalloftheissuesinthegrouphavebeenuploaded,theapplicantshouldclickthe“uploadcomplete”button.AdditionalinformationconcerningtheLibrary’scurrentpreferencesforfile-levelformatandspecificationsarepostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/eco/help-file-types.html).
Inthealternative,theapplicantmaysubmitaphysicalcopyofeachissueinthegroup,ortheapplicantmaysubmitadisccontaininganelectroniccopyofeachissue.Thedepositcopiesmaybedeliveredbymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.Inallcases,thedepositcopiesmustbesubmittedtogetherwiththeshippingslipthatisgeneratedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.FailuretoincludeashippingslipmaypreventtheOfficefromconnectingthedepositcopieswiththeonlineapplicationandmayrequiretheapplicanttoresubmitthedeposit,whichinturn,maychangetheeffectivedateofregistrationforthegroupregistration.SeeChapter600,Section625.2(D).Depositcopiessubmittedwithoutshippingslipswillnotbereturned.
PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.AdditionalinformationconcerningtherecommendedprocedurefordeliveringdepositstotheOfficebymailorbycourierispostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/mail.html).
Whencompletingapaperapplicationtheapplicantshouldsubmitapackagecontainingacompletecopyofeachissuetogetherwiththecompletedapplicationandthecorrectfilingfee.Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.Thepackagemaybedeliveredbymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.
ThePublicInformationOfficeislocatedinRoomLM-401oftheJamesMadisonMemorialBuildingoftheLibraryofCongress,101IndependenceAvenueSE,Washington,DC20559.ItisopenMondaythroughFridayfrom8:30a.m.to5:00p.m.EasternTime(exceptforfederalholidays).PleasebeadvisedthatvisitorstotheOfficemustpassthroughsecuritybeforeenteringthebuilding,andthatsealedpackagesorpackagesthataremorethantwenty-fourincheswidebyfifteenincheshigharenotpermitted.
Itemsdeliveredbyprivatecouriershouldbedeliveredin-persontothefollowinglocation:
CongressionalCourierAcceptanceSite160DStreetNEWashington,DC20510
ThislocationisopenMondaythroughFridayfrom8:30a.m.to4:30p.m.EasternTime(exceptforholidays).ItemsdeliveredtothislocationaretypicallysenttotheOfficethenextworkingday.
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
Chapter1100:45 09/29/2017
1110 Group Registration of Daily Newspapers
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringagroupofdailynewspapers.
TheregulationgoverningthegroupregistrationofdailynewspapersbecameeffectiveonSeptember1,1992.Newspaperspublishedbeforethatdatearenoteligibleforthisgroupregistrationoption.
Forguidanceonregisteringasingleissueofanewspaperasasingleserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionsforserialsanddailynewsletters,seeSections1109and1111.Forageneraloverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthegroupregistrationoptionsforserials,dailynewspapers,anddailynewsletters,seeSection1118.Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionforcontributionstoperiodicals,seeSection1115.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofDailyNewspapers,57Fed.Reg.39,615(Sept.1,1992);seealsoH.R.REP.NO.94-1476,at154(1976),reprintedin1976U.S.C.C.A.N.5659,5770(citing“thevariouseditionsorissuesofadailynewspaper”asanexampleofagroupofrelatedworksthatmightqualifyforgroupregistration).
1110.1 What Is a Daily Newspaper?
Forpurposesofthisgroupregistrationoption,adailynewspaperisdefinedasaserialthathasbeenselectedbytheNewspaperSectionoftheSerialsandGovernmentPublicationsDivisionforthecollectionsoftheLibraryofCongress.ThepapersthathavebeenselectedbytheLibraryarelistedinapolicydocumenttitled“NewspapersReceivedCurrentlyintheLibraryofCongress.”Generallyspeaking,thenewspapersonthislist(i)aremainlydesignedtobeaprimarysourceofwritteninformationoncurrentevents,eitherlocal,national,orinternationalinscope,(ii)containabroadrangeofnewsonallsubjectsandactivitiesandarenotlimitedtoanyparticularsubjectmatter,and(iii)areintendedforeitherthegeneralpublicoraparticularethnic,cultural,ornationalgroup.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(ii).Foradefinitionofthetermserial,seeSection1109.1.
1110.2 Eligibility Requirements
AgroupofdailynewspapersmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• EachissueinthegroupmustbeadailynewspaperasdefinedinSection1110.1.
• Eachissuemustbearthesametitle.
• Alloftheissuesmustbearissuedateswithinthesamecalendarmonthandthesamecalendaryear,andthegroupmustcontainalloftheissuespublishedwithinthatmonth.
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
Chapter1100:46 09/29/2017
• TheU.S.CopyrightOfficemustreceiveacompletedapplication,thecorrectfilingfee,andthecorrectdepositcopieswithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissuethatisincludedinthegroup.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i).
Newspapersthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.
Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisteraparticularissueusingthegroupregistrationoptionfordailynewspapers,theapplicantmaysubmitaseparateapplicationforthatissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1110.3 Application Requirements
Currently,anapplicationtoregisteragroupofdailynewslettersmustbesubmittedonFormG/DN.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(B).ForguidanceoncompletingFormG/DN,seeSection1112.
1110.4 Filing Fee Requirements
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(E).ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormG/DN(dailynewspapersandqualifiednewsletters)”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.
1110.5 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofdailynewspapers.
1110.5(A) Newspapers Subject to the Microfilm Deposit Requirement
ThedepositrequirementforthisgroupregistrationoptionvariesdependingonwhethertheLibraryofCongresshasselectedthenewspaperforitscollections.
IfthenewspaperhasbeenselectedbytheLibrary,theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofthefinaleditionofeachissuethatwaspublishedinthemonthspecifiedintheapplicationon35mmsilverhalidemicrofilmcontainingapositiveprintofeachissue(i.e.,blacktextprintedonawhitebackground).See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(D);seealso37C.F.R.pt.202,app.B,¶X.A.1.
Iftwoormoredailyeditionswerepublishedonaparticularday,theapplicantmaysubmitthefinaleditiontogetherwiththeearliereditions,providedthattheearliereditionsandthefinaleditionwerepublishedwithinthesamemetropolitanarea.
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
Chapter1100:47 09/29/2017
37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(D).Applicantsmaynotcombinenationalorregionaleditionsthatwerepublishedoutsideagivenmetropolitanarea.Instead,eachnationalorregionaleditionshouldberegisteredasaseparategroup.Seeid.
Examples:
• ThemorningeditionandfinaleditionoftheProvidencePostcouldberegisteredasasinglegroup.
• TheManhattan,LongIsland,andSussexeditionsoftheNewYorkExaminercouldberegisteredasasinglegroup.
• TheEastCoastandWestCoasteditionsofShowBizDailycouldnotberegisteredasasinglegroup,althoughtheycouldberegisteredastwoseparategroups.
SubmittingamicrofilmdepositisarequirementforthisgroupregistrationoptionifthetitlehasbeenselectedbytheLibrary,anditwillrelievethepublisherofanymandatorydepositrequirementssetforthinSection407oftheCopyrightActfortheissuessubmittedonmicrofilm.
MicrofilmmaybedeliveredtoU.S.CopyrightOfficebymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.PackagesthataredeliveredtotheOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.Thisprocessmaydamagemicrofilm.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendmicrofilminboxesratherthanenvelopes.ForadditionalguidanceonAdditionalinformationconcerningtherecommendedprocedurefordeliveringitemsdepositstotheOfficebyhandmailorbycourierispostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/mail.html,seeSection1109.8.).
1110.5(B) Newspapers That Are Not Subject to the Microfilm Deposit Requirement
ProvidingmicrofilmisarequirementforregisteringagroupofdailynewspapersiftheLibraryofCongresshasselectedthepaperforitscollections.
AfewyearsaftertheU.S.CopyrightOfficecreatedthisgroupregistrationoption,anumberofapplicantsbegantosubmitnewspapersthathadnotbeenselectedbytheLibrary.Theseapplicantswentthroughthetimeandexpenseofsubmittingarchival-qualitymicrofilmdeposits,eventhoughtheirworksdidnotappearonthelistof“NewspapersReceivedCurrentlyintheLibraryofCongress.”
TheOfficehasadoptedaninterimpracticethatallowsgroupsofnewspapersthathavenotbeenselectedbytheLibrarytoberegisteredwithouta35mmsilverhalidemicrofilmdeposit.Specifically,theinterimpracticeallowsanapplicanttosubmit(i)completeprintcopiesofthefirstandlastissuesofthemonthspecifiedintheapplication,or(ii)printcopiesofthefirstsectionofthefirstandlastissuesofthemonth,or(iii)printcopiesofthefirstpageofthefirstandlastissuesofthemonth.
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
Chapter1100:48 09/29/2017
1110.6 The Timeliness Requirement
AsdiscussedinSection1110.2,theU.S.CopyrightOfficemustreceiveacompletedapplication,thecorrectfilingfee,andthecorrectdepositcopieswithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissuethatisincludedinthegroup.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(F).Forexample,ifthelastissuewaspublishedonNovember30,2013,andiftheLibraryofCongresshasselectedthenewspaperforitscollections,theOfficemustreceivethefollowingitemsbyFebruary28,2014:
• AcompletedapplicationonFormG/DN.
• ThefilingfeespecifiedontheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeeschedule.37C.F.R.§201.3(c)(6),availableatwww.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html.
• Thecorrectdepositcopies,namely,positive35mmsilverhalidemicrofilmcontainingonecompletecopyofthefinaleditionofeachissuethatwaspublishedinNovember2013.
Iftheapplication,deposit,andfilingfeearenotreceivedbythedeadline,theOfficewillrefusetoregisterthenewspapersasagroup.
Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisteraparticularissueusingthegroupregistrationoptionfornewspapers,theapplicantmaysubmitaseparateapplicationforthatissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1111 Group Registration of Daily Newsletters
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringagroupofdailynewsletters.
TheregulationgoverningthegroupregistrationofdailynewslettersbecameeffectiveonSeptember1,1992.Newsletterspublishedbeforethatdatearenoteligibleforthisgroupregistrationoption.
Forguidanceonregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionsforserialsanddailynewspapers,seeSections1109and1110.Forageneraloverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesamongthegroupregistrationoptionsforserials,dailynewspapers,anddailynewsletters,seeSection1118.Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionforcontributionstoperiodicals,seeSection1115.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright;GroupRegistrationofDailyNewsletters,64Fed.Reg.29,522(June1,1999);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright;GroupRegistrationofDailyNewsletters,60Fed.Reg.15,874(Mar.28,1995).
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
Chapter1100:49 09/29/2017
1111.1 What Is a Daily Newsletter?
Forpurposesofthisgroupregistrationoption,adailynewsletterisdefinedasaserialthatispublishedanddistributedonline,bymail,byfax,onanyothermedium,includingbutnotlimitedto,paper,cassettetape,diskette,orCD-ROM.(Theterm“serial”isdefinedinSection1109.1.)Theserialmustberoutinelypublishedatleasttwodaysperweek,anditmustcontainnewsorinformationthatischieflyofinteresttoaspecialgroup,suchastradeassociations,professionalassociations,corporatein-housegroups,schools,colleges,churches,orthelike.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(i).Newslettersaretypicallysoldbysubscription,buttheyarenotsoldonnewsstandsorthroughotherretailoutlets.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright;GroupRegistrationofDailyNewsletters,60Fed.Reg.15,874,15,875(Mar.28,1995).
1111.2 Eligibility Requirements
AgroupofdailynewslettersmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• EachissueinthegroupmustbeadailynewsletterasdefinedinSection1111.1.
• Thegroupmustcontainatleasttwoissues.
• Eachissuemustbearthesametitle.
• Eachissuemustbeanessentiallyall-newcollectiveworkoranall-newissuethathasnotbeenpublishedbefore.
• Eachissuemustbearissuedateswithinthesamecalendarmonthandthesamecalendaryear.
• Theauthor(s)andthecopyrightclaimant(s)foralloftheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization.
• Eachissuemustbeaworkmadeforhire.
• TheU.S.CopyrightOfficemustreceiveacompletedapplication,thecorrectfilingfee,andthecorrectdepositcopieswithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissuethatisincludedinthegroup.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9).
Newslettersthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.
Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisteraparticularissueusingthegroupregistrationoptionfornewsletters,theapplicantmaysubmitaseparateapplicationforthatissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
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
Chapter1100:50 09/29/2017
1111.3 Application Requirements
Currently,anapplicationtoregisteragroupofdailynewslettersmustbesubmittedonFormG/DN.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(viii).ForguidanceoncompletingFormG/DN,seeSection1112.
1111.4 Filing Fee Requirements
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(viii).ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormG⁄DN(dailynewspapersandqualifiednewsletters)”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.
1111.5 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofdailynewsletters.
1111.5(A) One Complete Copy of Each Issue
Inallcases,theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofeachnewsletterissuethatisincludedinthegroup(inadditiontosubmittingacopyofeachissueonmicrofilmorprovidingacomplimentarysubscriptionasdiscussedinSection1111.5(B)below).See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(vi)(A).
Ifthenewsletterispublishedinatangibleformat,theapplicantshouldsubmitonecompleteprintcopyofeachissue.
Ifthenewsletterispublishedexclusivelyonline,theapplicantshouldsubmit(i)onecompleteprintoutofeachissue,or(ii)adiscorCD-ROMcontainingacompletecopyofeachissuetogetherwithaprintoutofthefirstandlastissuesinthegroup.
Thedepositmaybedeliveredbymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.AdditionalinformationconcerningtherecommendedprocedurefordeliveringdepositstotheOfficebymailorbycourierispostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/mail.html).
PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.ForadditionalguidanceondeliveringitemstotheOfficebyhandorbycourier,seeSection1109.8..
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
Chapter1100:51 09/29/2017
1111.5(B) Microfilm or Complimentary Subscriptions
IftheapplicantreceivesanexpresswrittenrequestfromtheCopyrightAcquisitionsDivisionoftheLibraryofCongress(“CAD”),theapplicantmayberequiredtoprovidetheLibrarywithuptotwocomplimentarysubscriptionsoftheeditionthatismostsuitableforitsneeds.Alternatively,theapplicantmayberequiredtosubmitonecompletecopyofthefinaleditionofeachissuethatwaspublishedinthemonthspecifiedintheapplication.Specifically,theapplicantmayberequiredtosubmit35mmsilverhalidemicrofilmcontainingapositiveprintofeachissue(i.e.,blacktextprintedonawhitebackground).See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(vi)(B);seealso37C.F.R.pt.202,app.B,¶X.A.1.Inallcases,acopyofthecommunicationfromCADshouldbesubmittedtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficealongwiththeapplication.
ProvidingmicrofilmoracomplimentarysubscriptionisarequirementforusingthisgroupregistrationoptioniftheapplicantreceivedawrittenrequestfromCADbeforetheapplicationwassubmittedtotheU.S.CopyrightOffice.ApplicantswhohavenotreceivedawrittenrequestfromCADarenotrequiredtoprovidesubscriptionsormicrofilm,althoughasdiscussedinSection1111.5(A)theyarerequiredtosubmitonecompletecopyofeachissuethatisincludedinthegroup.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(vi)(B).
SubscriptioncopiesormicrofilmshouldbesentdeliveredtotheaddressspecifiedintherequestfromCAD,andmaybedeliveredbymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.Thisprocessmaydamagemicrofilm.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendmicrofilminboxesratherthanenvelopes.ForadditionalguidanceondeliveringitemstotheOfficebyhandorbycourier,seeSection1109.8.
SubmittingmicrofilmorprovidingcomplimentarysubscriptionsforthepurposeofobtainingagroupregistrationwillrelievethepublisherofanymandatorydepositrequirementssetforthinSection407oftheCopyrightActforissuessubmittedinthismanner.
1111.6 The Timeliness Requirement
AsdiscussedinSection1111.2,theU.S.CopyrightOfficemustreceiveacompletedapplication,thecorrectfilingfee,andthecorrectdepositcopieswithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissuethatisincludedinthegroup.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(vii).Forexample,ifthelastissuewaspublishedonOctober20,2013,andiftheCopyrightAcquisitionsDivisioninstructedtheapplicanttosubmitthenewsletteronmicrofilm,theOfficemustreceivethefollowingitemsbyJanuary20,2014:
• AcompletedapplicationonFormG/DN.
• ThefilingfeespecifiedontheU.S.CopyrightOffice’s37C.F.R.§201.3(c)(6)www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html.
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
Chapter1100:52 09/29/2017
• Thecorrectdepositcopies,namely,(i)acompletecopyofeachissueinthegroup,and,ifcontactedbyCAD,(ii)positive35mmsilverhalidemicrofilmcontainingonecompletecopyofthefinaleditionofeachissuethatwaspublishedinOctober2013or(iii)twocomplimentarysubscriptions.
Iftheapplication,deposit,andfilingfeearenotreceivedbythedeadline,theOfficewillrefusetoregisterthenewslettersasagroup.
Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisteraparticularissueusingthegroupregistrationoptionfornewsletters,theapplicantmaysubmitaseparateapplicationforthatissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1112 Completing the Application: Group Registration of Daily Newspapers and Daily Newsletters (Form G/DN)
ThisSectionprovidesinstructionsforcompletingFormG/DN.Currently,thisformmustbeusedtoregisteragroupofdailynewspapersordailynewsletters.
1112.1 Space 1: Title of this Newspaper / Newsletter
Inspace1oftheapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethetitleofthenewspaperornewsletterexactlyasitappearsonthedepositcopies.Inaddition,theapplicantshouldidentifythetotalnumberofissuesthathavebeensubmittedforregistration.AsdiscussedinSections1110.2and1111.2,thetitlethatappearsoneachissueinthegroupmustbethesame.
Ifamonthandyeardate(e.g.,October2013)oraneditionnumber(e.g.,Vol.217,No.1)appearsonthedepositcopies,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace1undertheheadingsmarked“Monthandyeardateoncopies”and“Edition.”
IfanInternationalStandardSerialNumber(“ISSN”)hasbeenassignedtothenewspaperornewsletter,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace1oftheapplicationundertheheadingmarked“ISSN.”ForageneraldiscussionofISSNnumbers,seeChapter600,Section612.6(C).
Ifthisisthefirsttimethatthenewspaperornewsletterhasbeensubmittedforregistrationusingthegroupregistrationoption,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“Ifnopreviousregistrationunderidenticaltitlecheckhere.”IftheapplicantreceivedawrittencommunicationfromCADindicatingthattheLibraryhasorhasnotincludedthenewsletterinitscollections,theapplicantshouldattachacopyofthatcommunicationtotheapplication.SeeSection1111.5(B).
Currently,applicantscannotprovidetitlesforthevariousarticles,photographs,illustrations,orothercontributionsthatappearwithineachissuewhensubmittinganapplicationforagroupregistration.Iftheapplicantwouldliketoincludethisinformationintheregistrationrecord,theapplicantshouldsubmitaseparateapplicationforeachissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmitted
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
Chapter1100:53 09/29/2017
onFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1112.2 Space 2: Author / Claimant
AsdiscussedinSections1110.2and1111.2,alltheissuesinthegroupmustbecreatedbythesameauthor(s),thecopyrightineachissuemustbeownedbythesamecopyrightclaimant(s),andtheauthor(s)andtheclaimant(s)mustbethesamepersonororganization.
Inspace2oftheapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethefulllegalnameandaddressfortheauthor/claimant.Inaddition,theapplicantshouldcheckoneormoreoftheboxesinspace2thataccuratelydescribethematerialthattheauthorcreated.Theoptionsincludetext,editing,andcompilation.Foradefinitionanddiscussionoftheseterms,seeChapter600,Section618.4(C).
Asageneralrule,theU.S.CopyrightOfficemayacceptaclaimintextoreditingiftheauthorcontributedasufficientamountofwrittenexpressiontoeachissue.TheOfficemayacceptaclaimincompilationifthereisasufficientamountofcreativeexpressionintheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofmaterialthatappearsineachissue.Ifthesetermsdonotfullydescribethecopyrightableauthorshipthattheapplicantintendstoregister,theapplicantshouldprovideamorespecificdescriptioninthespacemarkedOther.
Theapplicantmayregisterthearticles,photographs,illustrations,orothercontributionsthatappearinthenewspaperornewsletter,providedthattheywerecreatedbytheauthor/claimantfortheissueasawhole.Asageneralrule,applicantsshouldusethetermstext,photographs,orartworktodescribethistypeofauthorship.
Theapplicantshouldonlychecktheboxesthatdescribetheauthorshipcreatedandownedbytheauthor/claimantnamedintheapplication.Theapplicantshouldnotassertaclaiminmaterialcreatedbyauthorswhoarenotnamedintheapplicationormaterialthatisnotownedbythecopyrightclaimant.Inparticular,theOfficewillnotacceptanapplicationthatpurportstoregisterarticles,photographs,orothercontributionscreatedbyapersonwhotransferredthecopyrightinhisorherworktotheauthor/claimant.
Iftheinformationprovidedinspace2iscontradictedbytheinformationprovidedelsewhereintheregistrationmaterials,amemberoftheOffice’sstaffmaycommunicatewiththeapplicant.
1112.3 Space 3: Date of Publication for the First and Last Issues in the Group
AsdiscussedinSections1110.2and1111.2,alltheissuesinthegroupmustbepublishedwithinthesamemonthandthesamecalendaryear.Inspace3oftheapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethedateofpublication(month,day,andyear)forthefirstissueandthelastissueinthegroup.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(C),(b)(9)(viii).
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
Chapter1100:54 09/29/2017
Iftheapplicantfailstoprovidethemonth,day,andyearofpublicationorifthepublicationdatesspecifiedintheapplicationdonotmatchthepublicationdatesorissuedates(ifany)thatappearonthedepositcopies,amemberoftheOffice’sstaffmaycommunicatewiththeapplicant.
Forageneraldiscussionofpublicationissues,seeChapter600,Section612.
1112.4 Certification
Theapplicationforgroupregistrationmustbecertifiedanddatedbytheauthor/claimantordulyauthorizedagentoftheauthor/claimant.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.See37C.F.R.§202.3(c).
Ahandwrittensignatureshouldbeprovidedundertheheadingmarked“Handwrittensignature”andthefirstandlastnameofthepersonwhocertifiedtheapplicationshouldbetypedorprintedonthespacemarked“Typedorprintedname.”
ThepersonwhocertifiesFormG/DNcertifiesthattheinformationprovidedintheapplicationiscorrecttothebestofhisorherknowledge.Knowinglymakingafalserepresentationofamaterialfactinanapplicationorinanywrittenstatementfiledinconnectionwiththeapplicationisacrimethatispunishableunder17U.S.C.§506(e).
1112.5 Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration
Theapplicantshouldprovidethename,address,telephonenumber,faxnumber,andemailaddress(ifany)forthepersonorpersonswhoshouldbecontactediftheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasquestionsorconcernsregardingtheapplication.Theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationundertheheadingmarked“Persontocontactforcorrespondenceaboutthisclaim.”
Thepersonnamedinthisspaceisknownasthe“Correspondent.”Asageneralrule,theOfficewillsendallcommunicationstothispersonattheaddressprovidedintheregistrationrecord.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidetheaddresswherethecertificateofregistrationshouldbesent.Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedundertheheadingmarked“Certificatewillbemailedinwindowenvelopetothisaddress.”
Forfurtherguidanceconcerningthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Sections622.2and622.4.
1113 ePrint Newspapers, Newsletters, and Other Serials
AsdiscussedinSections1109,1110,and1111,eachissueinagroupofnewspapers,newsletters,orotherserialsmustbeanessentiallyall-newcollectiveworkoranall-newissuethathasbeenpublishedforthefirsttime.Issuesthatdonotsatisfythisrequirementarenoteligibleforgroupregistration.Inparticular,anissuecannotbeaderivativeversionofapreviouslypublishedissueorapublicationthatisfrequentlymodified,updated,oradapted,suchasanewspaperornewsletterwebsite.Likewise,the
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
Chapter1100:55 09/29/2017
groupregistrationoptionscannotbeusedtoregisteratranslationofapreviouslypublishedissue.
Althoughthesegroupregistrationoptionsdonotapplytofrequentlyupdatedwebsites,anelectronicallyprinted(“ePrint”)newspaper,newsletter,orotherserialmaybeeligibleforagroupregistration,providedthatitsatisfiestherelevantregistrationrequirementssetforthinSections1109,1110,and1111.Forpurposesofthesegroupregistrationoptions,anePrintnewspaper,newsletter,orserialisanissuethatispublishedanddistributedonlineorviaemailasaself-contained,downloadablework,suchasadigitalversionofatangiblenewspaper,newsletter,orotherserial.
Example:
• TheOfficepublishesanelectronicnewsletterforitsstafftitledCopyrightNoticesthatcontainsarticlesandphotographsconcerningrecentdevelopmentswithintheOffice.Copiesofthisnewsletteraredistributedtostaffviaemailonamonthlybasis.IftheOfficedecidedtopublishCopyrightNoticesatleasttwotimesperweekitcouldbeconsideredanePrintnewsletter,becauseeachissueispublishedasaself-containedworkandthecontentofeachissuedoesnotchangeonceithasbeendistributed.
1114 Newspapers, Newsletters, or Other Serials That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements
IfadailynewspaperordailynewsletterisnoteligibleforthegroupregistrationoptionsdescribedinSections1110or1111,itmaybepossibletoregistertheseworksasagroupofserials,providedthattheapplicantsatisfiestherelevantrequirementsforthatgroupregistrationoption.Forguidanceonthisgroupregistrationoption,seeSection1109.Forageneraloverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthegroupregistrationoptionsforserials,dailynewspapers,anddailynewsletters,seeSection1118.
Ifaparticularissueofanewspaper,newsletter,orotherserialisnoteligibleforthegroupregistrationoptionsdescribedinSections1109through1111,theapplicantmayregisterthatissueonanindividualbasis.Specifically,theapplicantmayprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositforeachissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(vi)(C);seealsoRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright;GroupRegistrationofDailyNewsletters,64Fed.Reg.29,522,29,523(June1,1999).Forguidanceonhowtoregisterasingleissueofanewspaper,newsletter,orotherserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.
1115 Group Registration for Contributions to Periodicals
Section408(c)(2)oftheCopyrightActdirectstheRegisterofCopyrightstoestablishaprocedure“specificallypermittingasingleregistrationforagroupofworksbythesameindividualauthor,allfirstpublishedascontributionstoperiodicals,includingnewspapers,withinatwelve-monthperiod,onthebasisofasingledeposit,application,andregistrationfee….”17U.S.C.§408(c)(2).
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
Chapter1100:56 09/29/2017
Forageneraloverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheoptionsforregisteringagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals,agroupofpublishedphotographs,andacollectiongroupofunpublishedworks,seeSection1119.
Forguidanceonregisteringadailynewspaper,dailynewsletter,orothertypesofserials,seeSections1109through1111.
SeegenerallyGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,82Fed.Reg.29,410(June29,2017);GroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.86,634,86,641(Dec.1,2016);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,67Fed.Reg.10,329(Mar.7,2002).
1115.1 What Is a Contribution to a Periodical?
Forpurposesofthisgroupregistrationoption,acontributiontoaperiodicalisdefinedasaseparateandindependentworkthathasbeenpublishedinaperiodical.Examplesincludeanarticlepublishedinanewspaper,aphotographpublishedinamagazine,anillustrationpublishedinajournal,andothersimilarworks.
Aperiodicalisdefinedas“acollectiveworkthatisissuedorintendedtobeissuedonanestablishedscheduleinsuccessiveissuesthatareintendedtobecontinuedindefinitely.Inmostcases,eachissuewillbearthesametitle,aswellasnumericalorchronologicaldesignations.”37C.F.R.§202.4(g)(4)..Examplesincludenewspapers,magazines,newsletters,journals,bulletins,annuals,theproceedingsofsocieties,andothersimilarworks.
Anapplicantmaybepermittedtoregisterarticles,blogentries,artwork,photographs,orothercontributionsthatwerefirstpublishedinanelectronicallyprinted(“ePrint”)publicationifthatpublicationfitswithinthedefinitionofa“periodical.”AnePrintpublicationmaybeconsideredaperiodicalforpurposesofregistrationifitisfixedanddistributedonlineorviaemailasaself-containedwork,suchasadigitalversionofatangiblenewspaper,magazine,newsletter,orsimilarpublication.Forexample,manycompaniespublishelectronicnewslettersthatcontainarticlesonaparticularsubject,anddistributethesepublicationstotheirsubscriberseitheronlineorviaemail.AnarticlepublishedinanePrintnewslettercouldbeconsideredacontributiontoaperiodicalifeachissueofthenewsletterisfixedanddistributedasaself-containedworkandifthecontentofeachissuedoesnotchangeonceithasbeendistributed.
Asageneralrule,websitesarenotconsideredperiodicalsforpurposesofregistration.Websitesaretypicallyupdatedonacontinualbasisratherthananestablishedschedule.Theupdatesarerarelymadeinsuccessiveissuesthatcanberecognizedasdiscrete,self-containedcollectiveworks,andtheyrarelycontainnumericalorchronologicaldesignationsthatdistinguishoneupdatefromthenext.Forthesereasons,anapplicantmayregisteragroupofarticlesthatwerefirstpublishedinaprintorePrinteditionofamagazine.Likewise,anapplicantmayregisteragroupofarticlesthatwerefirstpublishedinaprintorePrintmagazineandsimultaneouslypublishedonthepublisher’swebsite.Butanapplicantmaynotregisteragroupofarticlesthatwerepublishedsolelyonawebsiteunlessthatsitesatisfiesthedefinitionforaperiodical.
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
Chapter1100:57 09/29/2017
SeeGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,82Fed.Reg.29,410,29,412(June29,2017);GroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.86,634,86,638-39(Dec.1,2016);MandatoryDepositofPublishedElectronicWorksAvailableOnlyOnline,75Fed.Reg.3863,3865(Jan.25,2010).
1115.2 Eligibility Requirements
AgroupofcontributionsthathavehasbeenpublishedinaperiodicalmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• Allofthecontributionsinthegroupmustbecreatedbythesameindividualauthor.
• Thecopyrightclaimantforallthecontributionsauthormustbethesamepersonororganizationanindividual.
• Thecontributionsmustnotcannotbeaworkmadeforhire.
• Eachworkcontributionmustbefirstpublishedasacontributiontoaperiodical.
• AllofthecontributionsEachcontributionmustbefirstpublishedwithinatwelve-monthperiod(e.g.,January1,2010throughDecember31,2010,February1,2011throughJanuary31,2012,September15,2013throughSeptember14,2014,etc.).
• IfanyofthecontributionswerepublishedbeforeMarch1,1989,thoseworkseachcontributionmustbearaseparatecopyrightnotice,thenoticemustcontainthecopyrightowner’sname(oranabbreviationbywhichtheownercanberecognizedoragenerallyknownalternativedesignationfortheowner),andthenamethatappearsineachnoticemustbethesame.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(i)(A)-(D);.
Inaddition,thecopyrightclaimantforalltheworksinthegroupmustbethesamepersonororganization(asisthecaseforanycopyrightclaim).SeeChapter600.,Section619.
WorksContributionsthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.
TheregulationestablishingthisoptionbecameeffectiveonJanuary1,1978.Contributionspublishedbeforethatdatearenoteligibleforgroupregistration.SeePart202—RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,CopyrightRegistrations,43Fed.Reg.965,966(Jan.5,1978).
1115.3 Application Requirements
ToregisteragroupofcontributionstoperiodicalstheapplicantmustcompleteandsubmitFormGR/CPalongwithFormTX,FormVA,orFormPA.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(ii)theonlineapplicationdesignatedforthisgroupoption.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillnotacceptclaims.
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
Chapter1100:58 09/29/2017
IfanyofthecontributionsconsistpreponderantlyofnondramaticliterarymaterialthatisintheEnglishlanguage,theapplicantshoulduseFormTX.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(ii)(A)n.3.
Inallothercases,theapplicantshouldusetheformthatismostappropriateforthetypeofauthorshipthatappearsinthemajorityofthecontributionsinthegroup.Seeid.
• FormTX:TheapplicantshouldcompleteFormTXifthecontributionsprimarilycontainnondramatictext,suchasarticles,newsstories,columns,features,reviews,editorials,essays,fiction,verse,quizzes,puzzles,advertisingcopy,orthelike.
• FormVA:TheapplicantshouldcompleteFormVAifthecontributionsprimarilycontainpictorialorgraphicmaterial,suchasphotographs,drawings,illustrations,cartoons,comicstrips,prints,paintings,artreproductions,charts,diagrams,maps,pictorialadvertisements,orthelike.
• FormPA:TheapplicantshouldcompleteFormPAifthecontributionsprimarilyconsistofworksoftheperformingarts.
Ifthecontributionscontainmorethanonetypeofauthorshiptheapplicantshouldselecttheformthatisappropriateforthepredominantformofauthorshipinthecontributions.Forexample,ifmostofthecontributionscontainasubstantialamountofnondramatictextcombinedwithafewphotographs,theapplicantshoulduseFormTX.Ifmostofthecontributionscontainillustrationswithasmallamountofnondramatictext,theapplicantshoulduseFormVA.Ifthetypesofauthorshiparesubmittedonapaperform.37C.F.R.§202.4(g)(6).roughlyequal,theapplicantmayuseanyformthatisappropriateforthetypeofauthorshipthatappearsinthemajorityofthecontributions.
ForguidanceoncompletingtheonlineapplicationandFormsTX,VA,andPA,seeSection1115.7.
1115.4 Filing Fee Requirements
1115.4 Filing Fee Requirements
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(ii)(C).ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“RegistrationofaclaiminagroupofFormGR/CP(contributionstoperiodicals)”See37C.F.R.§§201.3(c)(2),202.4(g)(7).
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.4and1403.5.
1115.5 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals.
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
Chapter1100:59 09/29/2017
1115.5 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals.
sInallcases,theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofeachcontributionthatisincludedinthegroup.Thecopiesmustbesubmittedinadigitalformat,andthecontributionsmustappearinthepreciseforminwhichtheywerefirstpublishedintheperiodical.37C.F.R.§202.4(g)(8).
ApplicantsmaysatisfyThisrequirementmaybesatisfiedbysubmittinganyofthefollowing:
• TheymaysubmitonecompleteOnecopyoftheentireissueoftheperiodicalinwhichthatcontainsthecontributionwasfirstpublished.
• Ifthecontributionwasfirstpublishedinanewspaper,theymaysubmitonecompleteOnecopyoftheentiresectionofanewspaperthatcontainsthecontribution.
• Tearsheetsorproofcopiesofthecontribution.
• Aphotocopyofthecontribution.
• Aphotocopyoftheentirepagefromtheperiodicalthatcontainsthecontribution.
• Theentirepagefromtheperiodicalthatcontainsthecontribution,whichhasbeencutortornfromtheperiodical.
• Thecontributioncutortornfromtheperiodical.
• Photographsorphotographicslidesofthecontribution,providedthatthecontentofthecontributionisclearandlegible.
• Photographsorphotographicslidesoftheentirepagefromtheperiodicalthatcontainsthecontribution,providedthatthecontentofthecontributionisclearandlegible.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(i)(E);seealsoRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright:GroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,67Fed.Reg.10,329(Mar.7,2002).
• theAlternatively,theOfficemayallowanapplicanttosubmitaprintoutfromanelectronicnewspaperwherearchive,providedthatthecontributionwasfirstpublished.
• Theymaysubmitonecompletecopyoftheparticularpageswithintheperiodicalwherethecontributionwasfirstpublished.
Seeid.;seealsoGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.86,634,86,639-40(Dec.1,2016).
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
Chapter1100:60 09/29/2017
Requiringapplicantstosubmitapplicantasksforacopyofthecontributionsinthepreciseforminwhichtheywerefirstpublishedisconsistentwiththelegislativehistory,whichstatesthat“[a]sageneralrulethedepositofmorethanatearsheetorsimilarfractionofacollectiveworkisneededtoidentifythecontributionproperlyandtoshowtheforminwhichitwaspublished.”H.R.REP.NO.94-1476,at153(1976),reprintedin1976U.S.C.C.A.N.5659,5769.Italsoservesanevidentiarypurpose.Itgivestheregistrationspecialistanopportunitytocomparethedepositwiththetitle,dateofpublication,issuenumber,pagenumber,orotherinformationthatissetforthintheapplication(althoughinpracticespecialistsdonotconductthistypeofanalysisforeverycontributioninthegroup).Ifaparticularcontributionbecomesinvolvedinlitigation,thedepositcouldbeusedtoverifythattheworkwaspublishedinaparticularperiodicalonaparticulardate.SeeGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.at86,640.
Inallcases,applicantsmustsubmitadigitalcopyofeachcontribution.Specifically,eachcontributionmustbecontainedinaseparateelectronicfileinPDF,JPG,TIFF,oranyotherelectronicformatthathasbeenapprovedbytheOffice.37C.F.R.§202.4(g)(8).AcurrentlistofacceptablefileformatsispostedontheOffice’swebsite.Theelectronicfilesmustbeuploadedtotheelectronicregistrationsystem,preferablyina.zipfilecontainingallthefiles.Thesizeofeachuploadedfilemustnotexceed500megabytes,althoughapplicantsmaydigitallycompressthefilestocomplywiththisrequirement.Seeid.GuidanceonhowtouploadthefilesisavailableontheOffice’swebsite.
Manypublishersdistributeelectronicreplicasoftheirperiodicalsindownloadableorprintableformats.Applicantsmaybeabletocreateadigitalcopyoftheircontributionsbyprintingordownloadingthemfromthepublisher’swebsiteorbyrequestingacopydirectlyfromthepublisher.Alternatively,applicantsmaybeabletocreatedigitalcopiesbyscanningtheircontributionswithamulti-functionprinterorscanner,orbyphotographingthemwithasmartphoneandsavingeachimageasanelectronicfile.SeeGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,82Fed.Reg.29,410,29,4111-12(June29,2017).
TheOfficerecognizesthattheremayberarecaseswhereanauthordoesnothaveaccesstotheseresources.ApplicantswhoareunabletosubmittheircontributionsinthepreciseforminwhichtheywerefirstpublishedmayrequestgrantofspecialrelieffromthedepositrequirementsunderSection202.20(d).Likewise,applicantsmayrequestspecialreliefiftheyareunabletosubmitadigitalcopyoftheircontributionsorunabletouploadthemthroughtheelectronicsystem.Id.§§202.4(g)(9),202.20(d)(1)(iii),(iv).
Arequestforspecialreliefmustbemadeinwriting,anditoftheregulations.Therequestshouldexplainwhytheapplicantisunabletosubmitcopiesthatsatisfythedepositrequirementssetforthaboveandshouldconfirmthat(i)thecontribution(s)werepublisheddescribedabove.TheOfficemaygrantarequestforspecialreliefinexceptionalcases,subjecttosuchconditionsthattheAssociateRegisterofCopyrightsandDirectoroftheOfficeofRegistrationPolicyandPracticemayimposeontheapplicant.Seeid.§202.4(g)(9).
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
Chapter1100:61 09/29/2017
afterMarch1,1989,and(ii)thatthecontentofeachprintoutissubstantiallyidenticaltothecontentthatappearedintheoriginalpublication.Forageneraldiscussionofspecialrelief,seeChapter1500,Section1508.8.
1115.6 When May an Application for a Group Registration Be Filed?
AnapplicantmayTheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillregisterallofthecontributionscreatedbythesameindividualandpublishedwithinatwelve-monthperiod,providedthatheorshetheapplicantcomplieswiththerequirementssetforthin37C.F.R.§202.4andtheotherrelevantregulationsdescribedinSections1115.2through1115.5.
Thatsaid,1115.5.AlthoughanapplicationforagroupregistrationmaybefiledanytimebeforetheU.S.CopyrightOfficeencouragesapplicantstosubmittheirclaimsonaquarterlybasis(i.e.,everythreemonths),insteadofsubmittingthemonanannualorsemi-annualbasis.copyrightsexpire,acontributiontoaperiodicaltypicallymustberegisteredinatimelymannerwithinthreemonthsafterpublicationtoseekstatutorydamagesandattorney’sfeesinaninfringementaction.Specifically,anauthormayseektheseremediesif.Therefore,thecontributionwasregistered(i)beforeOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantswhousethisgroupregistrationoptiontosubmittheapplication,depositcopiesinfringementbegan,or(ii),andfilingfeewithinthreemonthsafterthefirstdateofpublicationofthatwork.See17U.S.C.§412.fortheearliestcontributioninthegroup.
Tosecurethesebenefits,applicantsshouldsubmittheirclaimswithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationfortheearliestcontributioninthegroup.Bydoingso,authorswillpreservetheirabilitytoseekstatutorydamagesandattorney’sfeesforanyinfringementsthatmayoccuraftertheeffectivedateofregistration,aswellasanyinfringementsthatmayoccurwithinthreemonthsafterthepublicationofeachworkinthegroup.
Forexample,ifthefirstcontributionwaspublishedonJune1,2017,andthelastcontributionwaspublishedonSeptember1,2017,itwouldbeadvisabletosubmitacompleteapplication,deposit,andfilingfeeandonorbeforeSeptember1,2017.Bydoingso,theauthorwillpreservehisorherabilitytoseektheseremediesforanyinfringementsthatbeganaftertheeffectivedateofregistration(i.e.,afterSeptember1,2017),aswellasanyinfringementsthatbeganwithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforeachcontributioninthegroup.
SeeGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.86,634,86,639(Dec.1,2016).
1115.7 Completing the Application: Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforcompletingtheonlineapplicationforagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals.
AsdiscussedinSection1115.3,applicantsmustusetheonlineapplicationasaconditionforseekingagroupregistration.Ifanapplicantattemptstouseapaperapplication,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillrefuseregistrationandinstructtheapplicanttoresubmitthe
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
Chapter1100:62 09/29/2017
claimusingtheonlineapplication.SeeGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,82Fed.Reg.29,410,29,410-11(June29,2017).
NOTE:Inexceptionalcases,the Office may waive the online filing requirement, subject to such conditions that the Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of the Office of Registration Policy and Practice may impose on the applicant. 37C.F.R.§202.4(g)(9).An applicant may submit a request to waive this requirement in writing. It should explain why the applicant is unable to use the online application, and it should be sent to the following address:
AssociateRegisterofCopyrightsandDirectorofRegistrationPolicy&Practice
RegistrationProgramU.S.CopyrightOffice101IndependenceAvenueSEWashington,DC20559
SeeGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,82Fed.Reg.29,410,29,411(June29,2017).
1115.7(A) Type of GroupForm TX, Form VA, and Form PA
ToregisteragroupofcontributionstoperiodicalstheapplicantmustcompleteFormTX,FormVA,orFormPAwiththeonlineapplication.AsdiscussedinSection1115.3,theapplicantshouldbeginbyclickingthephrase“RegisteraGroupClaim,”whichappearsonthehomepageoftheelectronicregistrationsystem.
NexttheapplicantshouldselectusetheformthatismostappropriateforthetypeofgroupbeingregisteredfromtheoptionslistedinthedropdownmenumarkedTypeofGroup.
Forcontributionstoperiodicals,theapplicantshouldselecttheoptionthatbestdescribestheauthorshipthatappearsinthemajorityofthecontributionsinthegroup.
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforcompletingspaces1through4oftheseforms.Forguidanceconcerningspaces5through9,seeChapter600,Sections621,622.2,622.4,and624.
1115.7(B) Space 1: Title of this Work
Inspace1oftheapplicationtheapplicantshouldwrite“SeeFormGR/CP,attached.”Therestofthisspaceshouldbeleftblank.
1115.7(C) Space 2(a): Name of Author
AsdiscussedinSection1115.2,allofthecontributionsinthegroupmustbecreatedbythesameauthorandtheauthormustbeanindividual.Theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor’sfullnameandtheauthor’snationalityand/ordomicileinspace2(a).Foradefinitionanddiscussionofnationalityanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.
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
Chapter1100:63 09/29/2017
Ifallofthecontributionsinthegroupqualifyasanonymousorpseudonymousworks,theapplicantmaychecktheappropriateboxesthatappearintheanonymous/pseudonymousspace.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofanonymousandpseudonymousworks,seeChapter600,Sections615.1and615.2.
AsdiscussedinSection1115.2,thecontributionscannotbeaworkmadeforhire.Therefore,theworkmadeforhireboxshouldbechecked“no.”
IntheNatureofAuthorshipspacetheapplicantshoulddescribethematerialthattheauthorcreated.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section618.
1115.7(D) Space 3(a): Year in which Creation of This Work Was Completed
Theapplicantshouldprovidetheyearofcompletionforthelastcontributionthatisincludedinthegroup.Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedinspace3(a)oftheapplication.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section611.
AsdiscussedinSection1115.8(B),theapplicationshouldprovidepublicationdatesforeachcontributionusingFormGR/CP.Therefore,space3(b)ofFormTX,VA,orPAmaybeleftblank.
1115.7(E) Space 4: Copyright Claimant(s)
AsdiscussedinSection1115.2,thecopyrightclaimantforallofthecontributionsmustbethesamepersonororganization.Theapplicantshouldprovidetheclaimant’sfullnameandaddressinspace4oftheapplication.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section619.
1115.8 Form GR/CP
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceoncompletingFormGR/CP.AsdiscussedinSection1115.3,theapplicantmustcompleteandsubmitthisformalongwithFormTX,FormVA,orFormPA.
1115.8(A) Space A: Identification of Application
InspaceAoftheapplication,theapplicantshouldcheckoneoftheboxesmarkedTX,PA,orVA,dependingonwhethertheapplicantintendstosubmitFormGR/CPtogetherwithFormTX,FormVA,orFormPA.
• Theapplicantshouldprovidethenameoftheindividualwhocreatedthecontributionsthatareincludedinthegroup,andthenameoftheclaimantContributionstoPeriodicalsTX:Theapplicantshouldselectthisoptionifthecontributionsprimarilycontainnondramatictext,suchasarticles,newsstories,columns,features,reviews,editorials,essays,fiction,verse,quizzes,puzzles,advertisingcopy,orthelike.
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
Chapter1100:64 09/29/2017
• ContributionstoPeriodicalsVA:Theapplicantshouldselectthisoptionifthecontributionsprimarilycontainpictorialorgraphicmaterial,suchasphotographs,drawings,illustrations,cartoons,comicstrips,prints,paintings,artreproductions,charts,diagrams,maps,pictorialadvertisements,orthelike.
Ifthecontributionscontainmultipletypesofauthorshiptheapplicantshouldselecttheoptionthatbestdescribesthepredominantformofauthorshipinthecontributions.Forexample,ifmostofthecontributionscontainnondramatictextcombinedwithafewphotographs,theapplicantshouldselectContributionstoPeriodicalsTX.Ifmostofthecontributionscontainillustrationswithasmallamountofnondramatictext,theapplicantshouldselectContributionstoPeriodicalsVA.Ifthetypesofauthorshipareroughlyequal,theapplicantmaychoosetheoptionthatwouldbeappropriateforthemajorityofthecontributions.See37C.F.R.§202.4(g)(6).
Onceaselectionhasbeenmade,thesystemwillgenerateabriefstatementthatdescribestheeligibilityrequirementsforthisgroupregistrationoption.Iftheserequirementshavebeenmet,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxthatappearsnexttothefollowingstatement:“IagreethatIhaveread,understood,andmeetalleligibilityrequirementsdescribedaboveforfilingtheselectedGroupRegistration.”
1115.7(B) Identifying the Works Included within the Group
Section408(c)(2)(B)oftheCopyrightActwhoownsthecopyrightinthosecontributions.Thenamesprovidedinthesespacesshouldbeidenticaltothenamesthattheapplicantprovidedinspaces2(a)and4ofFormTX,FormVA,orFormPA.
1115.8(B) Space B: Registration for Group of Contributions
statesthatcontributionstoperiodicalsmayberegisteredasagroup,providedthat“theapplicationidentifieseachworkseparately,includingtheperiodicalcontainingitanditsdateoffirstpublication.”17U.S.C.§408(c)(2)(B).
WhencompletingFormGR/CP,theapplicantshouldprovideatitleforeachcontributionthatisincludedinthegroup.Ifthetitleofthecontributionappearsintheperiodicaltheapplicantshouldprovidethattitleexactlyasitappearsonthedepositcopies.
Foreachcontribution,theapplicantshouldprovidethetitleoftheperiodicalwherethecontributionwaspublishedforthefirsttime,alongwiththevolume,number,andissuedate(ifany)forthatperiodicalandthepagenumber(s)(ifany)wherethecontributionappeared.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethedateoffirstpublication(month,day,andyear)fortheperiodicalandthenameofthecountrywheretheperiodicalwaspublishedforthefirsttime.Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section612.
Iftheauthorsentanyofthecontributionstoasyndicate,clearinghouse,orotherdistributorbeforetheywerepublishedinaperiodical,theapplicantshouldnotifytheU.S.CopyrightOfficeinacoverletter.
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
Chapter1100:65 09/29/2017
AsdiscussedinSection1115.2allthecontributionsmustbepublishedwithinatwelve-monthperiod(e.g.,May1,2012throughApril30,2013).Whencompletingtheapplication,applicantsareencouragedtolistthecontributionsinchronologicalorder.Thecontributionsshouldbelistedintheapplicationinchronologicalorder.Ifthegroupcontainsmorethannineteencontributions,theapplicantshouldcompleteandsubmitadditionalcopiesofFormGR/CPcontainingtheappropriateinformationfortheremainingcontributions.
Althoughthecontributionsmustbepublishedwithinatwelve-monthperiod,theworksmaybepublishedindifferentperiodicalsandondifferentdates.Currently,andthereisnolimitonthetotalnumberofcontributionsthatmaybesubmitted,althoughapplicantsmustincludeatleasttwocontributionsinincludedwithineachclaimgroup.SeegenerallyGroupRegistrationofContributionstoPeriodicals,81Fed.Reg.86,634,86,639(Dec.1,2016).,reprintedin1976U.S.C.C.A.N.5659,5770.
1115.7(B)(1) Identifying the Contributions
Theapplicantshouldprovideatitleforeachcontributionwithinthegroup,andineachcasethetitleshouldbeprovidedexactlyasitappearsinthedepositcopies.TheapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheTitlescreeninthefieldmarkedTitleofContribution.Iftheapplicantfailstocompletethisportionoftheapplication,theclaimwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.
Ifthecontributionwaspublishedwithoutatitle,theapplicantshouldprovideadescriptivetitlethatidentifiesthegeneralsubjectmatteroftheworkoranyotherrelevantinformationthatapersonsearchingtheU.S.CopyrightOffice’srecordswouldlikelyincludeinhisorhersearchrequest.
Ifthecontributionswerepublishedaspartofaseriesofworksbythesameauthor,suchasanadvicecolumn,aneditorialcolumn,acartoonstrip,orthelike,theapplicantmayprovidethetitleforthatseries(ifany).ThisinformationmaybeprovidedontheTitlescreeninthefieldmarkedSeriesTitle.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidetheyearofcompletionforthemostrecentcontributioninthegroup.Forexample,iftheauthorcompletedthecontributionsin2015,2016,and2017,theapplicantshouldstate“2017”ontheTitlescreeninthefieldmarkedYearofCompletion.Foradditionalguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section611.
1115.7(B)(2) Identifying the Periodicals
Foreachcontributioninthegroup,theapplicantshouldprovidethetitleoftheperiodicalwherethatcontributionwasfirstpublished.Specifically,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheTitlescreeninthefieldmarkedTitleofPeriodical.
Inaddition,applicantsshouldprovidethevolume,number,issuedate,andISSNnumber(ifany)foreachperiodical,aswellasthepagenumber(s)(ifany)wherethecontributionappearedwithinthatperiodical.
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
Chapter1100:66 09/29/2017
Ineachcase,theapplicantshouldprovidetheprecisedateoffirstpublication(month,day,andyear)fortheperiodical.ThisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheTitlescreeninthefieldmarkedDateofFirstPublication.Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section612.
NOTE:Iftheauthorsentanyofthecontributionstoasyndicate,clearinghouse,orotherdistributorbeforetheywerepublishedinaperiodical,theapplicantshouldaddastatementtothateffectintheNotetoCopyrightOfficefield.
TheapplicantshouldidentifythecountrywheretheperiodicalwaspublishedforthefirsttimebyselectingoneofthecountrieslistedinthedropdownmenumarkedNationofFirstPublication.TheregistrationspecialistmayusethisinformationtodetermineifthecontributionsareeligibleforcopyrightprotectionintheUnitedStates.Ifthenationoffirstpublicationisunknown,theapplicantmayselect“notknown”fromthedropdownmenu.
Iftheapplicantfailstoprovideatitlefortheperiodical,orthedateandnationoffirstpublication,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.
1115.7(C) Identifying the Author
AsdiscussedinSection1115.2,allofthecontributionsinthegroupmustbecreatedbythesameauthorandtheauthormustbeanindividual.
Theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor’sfullnameontheAuthorscreeninthefieldsmarkedFirstName/LastName.
Iftheauthor’srealnamedoesnotappearonanyofthecontributionsinthegroup,andiftheauthordoesnotwanttorevealhisorheridentityintheregistrationrecord,theapplicantmaychecktheboxmarkedanonymousandstate“Anonymous”intheFirstName/LastNamefields.
Iftheauthordoesnotwanttorevealhisorherrealnameintheregistrationrecord,theapplicantmaychecktheboxmarkedpseudonymous,andprovidetheauthor’spseudonyminthePseudonymfieldandtheFirstName/LastNamefields,butonlyif(i)allthecontributionswerepublishedundertheauthor’spseudonym,and(ii)theauthor’srealnamedoesnotappearanywhereinthecontributions.
Foradefinitionanddiscussionofanonymousandpseudonymousworks,seeChapter600,Sections615.1and615.2.
Theapplicantshouldidentifytheauthor’snationalityand/ordomicileinthefieldsmarkedCitizenshipandDomicile.TheregistrationspecialistmayusethisinformationtodetermineifthecontributionsareeligibleforcopyrightprotectionintheUnitedStates.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofnationalityanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.Iftheauthor’snationalityordomicileareunknown,theapplicantmayselect“notknown”fromthedropdownmenu.
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
Chapter1100:67 09/29/2017
IftheapplicantfailstocompletetheFirstName/LastNamefields,orthecitizenshipanddomicilefields,theapplicationwillnotbeacceptedbytheelectronicregistrationsystem.
Theapplicantmayprovidetheyearthattheauthorwasborn,andiftheauthorisdeceasedtheapplicantmayprovidetheyearthattheauthordied.ThisinformationmaybeusefulinidentifyingtheauthorwithintheOffice’srecords.However,thisinformationisoptionalandanapplicationwillbeacceptedevenifthesefieldsareleftblank.
1115.7(D) Identifying the Copyrightable Material that the Author Created
Theapplicantshouldidentifytheauthorshipthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.Todoso,theapplicantshouldcheckoneormoreoftheboxesinthefieldmarkedAuthorCreatedthataccuratelydescribethecopyrightablematerialbeingregistered.Theoptionsinclude:
• Text
• Photographs
• Illustrations
Ifthesetermsdonotfullydescribethematerialbeingregistered,theapplicantshouldprovideamorespecificdescriptioninthefieldmarkedOther.
Foradditionalguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section618.4(A).
1115.7(E) Identifying the Copyright Claimant
Toregisteragroupofcontributionstoperiodicals,theshouldprovidethenameandaddressofthecopyrightclaimant.See17U.S.C.§409(1).AsdiscussedinSection1115.2,theclaimantforallthecontributionsmustbethesamepersonororganization.
Forpurposesofcopyrightregistration,theclaimantmustbe(i)theauthorofthecontributions,or(ii)thepersonororganizationthatownsalloftherightsundercopyrightthatinitiallybelongedtotheauthor.See37C.F.R.§202.3(a)(3).Nootherpartyisentitledtobenamedasacopyrightclaimant.
Whennamingtheauthorasthecopyrightclaimant,theapplicantshouldprovidetheauthor’sfullnameandaddressinthefieldmarkedIndividualClaimant.However,iftheapplicantstated“Anonymous”orprovidedtheauthor’spseudonymintheFirstName/LastNamefieldsontheAuthorscreen,theapplicantshouldprovidethissameinformationinthecorrespondingfieldsontheClaimantsscreen.
Theapplicantmaynamethepersonororganizationthatownsalloftherightsthatinitiallybelongedtotheauthor,butonlyifthatpartyownsthecopyrightinallthecontributions.Iftheclaimantisanindividual,theapplicantshouldprovidetheclaimant’sfullnameandaddressinthefieldmarkedIndividualClaimant.Iftheclaimant
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
Chapter1100:68 09/29/2017
isalegalentity,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinthefieldmarkedOrganization.
Iftheauthorandtheclaimantarenotthesameperson,theapplicantshouldprovideabriefstatementthatexplainshowtheclaimantobtainedthecopyrightinthecontributions.TheapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationbyselectingoneofthestatementslistedinthedropdownmenumarkedTransferStatement.Ifthesestatementsdonotfullydescribethetransfer,theapplicantmayprovideamorespecificstatementinthefieldmarkedTransferStatementOther.Currently,thetotalamountoftextthatmaybeprovidedinthisfieldislimitedto100characters.
Foradditionalguidanceoncompletingtheclaimantfields,seeChapter600,Section619.12.Forguidanceoncompletingthetransferfields,seeChapter600,Section620.9.
1115.7(F) Rights and Permissions Information
Theapplicantmayprovidethename,address,andothercontactinformationforthepersonand/ororganizationwhoshouldbecontactedforpermissiontousethecontributions.Providingthisinformationisoptional,andanapplicationwillbeacceptedeveniftheRights&PermissionsInformationscreenisleftblank.
Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section622.1.
1115.7(G) Correspondent / Mailing Address for the Certificate of Registration
Theapplicantshouldprovidethename,address,telephonenumber,faxnumber,andemailaddress(ifany)forthepersonorpersonswhoshouldbecontactediftheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasquestionsorconcernsregardingtheapplication.ThisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheCorrespondentscreen.
Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddresswherethecertificateofregistrationshouldbesent.ThisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheMailAddressscreen.
Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Sections622.2and622.4.
1115.7(H) Special Handling
Specialhandlingisaprocedureforexpeditingtheexaminationofanapplication.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficeoffersthisserviceincertaincircumstanceswhereacopyrightownerorotherinterestedpartieshaveacompellingreasonfortheexpeditedissuanceofacertificateofregistration.TheOfficechargesanadditionalfeeforthisservice.
Foradetaileddiscussionofthisprocedure,seeChapter600,Section623.
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
Chapter1100:69 09/29/2017
1115.7(I) Certification
Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbytheauthororclaimantnamedintheapplication,bytheownerofoneormoreoftheexclusiverightsinthecontributions,orbyadulyauthorizedagentoftheauthor,claimant,orownerofexclusiverights.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.
Thepersonwhocertifiestheapplicationcertifiesthattheinformationprovidedintheapplicationiscorrecttothebestofhisorherknowledge.Knowinglymakingafalserepresentationofamaterialfactinanapplication,orinanywrittenstatementfiledinconnectionwiththeapplication,isacrimethatispunishableunder17U.S.C.§506(e).
TheshouldcertifytheapplicationontheCertificationscreen.Specifically,theapplicantshouldprovidethefirstandlastnameoftheindividualwhoiscertifyingtheapplicationinthespacemarkedNameofCertifyingIndividualandshouldchecktheboxthatreads,“IcertifythatIamtheauthor,copyrightclaimant,orownerofexclusiverights,ortheauthorizedagentoftheauthor,copyrightclaimant,orownerofexclusiverightsofthisworkandthattheinformationgiveninthisapplicationiscorrecttothebestofmyknowledge.”Thereisnoneedtodatethecertificationinanonlineapplication;thedatewillbeaddedautomaticallywhentheapplicationisreceivedbytheU.S.CopyrightOffice.SeeOnlineRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,72Fed.Reg.36,883,36,887(July6,2007).
1115.8 Contributions That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements
Photographerswhoareunabletoregistertheirworksasacontributiontoaperiodicalmaybeabletousethegroupregistrationoptionforpublishedphotographs.Forguidanceonthisgroupregistrationoption,seeSection1116.
Ifthecontributionshavenotbeenpublishedyet,itmaybepossibletoregisterthemasacollectionofunpublishedworks.Foradiscussionofthisoption,seeChapter1100,Section1106.
Forageneraloverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheoptionsforregisteringagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals,agroupofpublishedphotographs,andagroupofunpublishedworks,seeSection1119.
Alternatively,theapplicantmayregisteraparticulararticle,photograph,illustration,orothercontributiononanindividualbasis.Specifically,theapplicantmayprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositforeachcontributionandmaysubmittheseitemsthroughtheelectronicregistrationsystemorwithapaperapplication.
1116 Group Registration of Published Photographs
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’spracticesandproceduresforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographs.
Forinformationconcerningthegroupregistrationoptionforcontributionstoperiodicals,seeSection1115.Forinformationconcerningtheoptionforregisteringacollectionofunpublishedphotographs,seeChapter1100,Section1106.Forageneral
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
Chapter1100:70 09/29/2017
overviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheoptionsforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographs,agroupofcontributionstoperiodicals,oragroupofunpublishedphotographs,seeSection1119.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,66Fed.Reg.37,142(July17,2001).
1116.1 Eligibility Requirements
• AgroupofpublishedphotographsmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:Alltheworksinthegroupmustbephotographs.
• Allthephotographsmusthavebeencreatedbythesameindividual.
• Ifanyofthephotographsinthegroupwerecreatedasaworkmadeforhire,theapplicantmustprovide(i)thenameofthephotographerand(ii)thenameofthephotographer’semployerorthepartywhospeciallyorderedorcommissionedthephotographs(e.g.,XYZCorporation,employerforhireofJohnDoe).
• Thecopyrightclaimantforeachphotographmustbethesamepersonororganization.
• Theapplicantmustprovidetheapproximatenumberofphotographsthatareincludedwithininthegroup.
• Allthephotographsinthegroupmustbepublished.
• Allthephotographsmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear(e.g.,January1,2010throughMay31,2010;February15,2011throughJuly20,2011;October7,2012throughOctober21,2012,etc.).
• Theapplicantmustprovideadateofpublicationforthephotographsasfollows:
• Applicantsarestronglyencouragedtoprovideadateofpublicationforeachphotographinthegroupusingoneofthefollowingmethods:
- Ifallofthephotographswerepublishedonthesamedate,theapplicantshouldprovidethatdateintherelevantfield/spaceoftheapplication.
- Ifthephotographswerepublishedondifferentdates,theapplicantshouldprovidearangeofpublicationdates(e.g.,February15,2004throughSeptember15,2004)intherelevantfield/spaceoftheapplication.Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethedateofpublicationforeachphotographusingoneofthefollowingmethods:
• TheapplicantmayprovidethedateofpublicationoneachphotographthatissubmittedtotheOffice(e.g.,writingthedateonthebackofeach
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
Chapter1100:71 09/29/2017
printorslide,includingthedateinthefilenameforeachimage,groupingimagespublishedonthesamedateinthesamefile,etc.).
• TheapplicantmaylistthepublicationdatesinatextfilestoredonaCD-ROMorDVDcontainingthephotographsthataresubmittedtotheOffice.
• Theapplicantmaysubmitatypedlistclearlyspecifyingthedateofpublicationforeachphotographinthegroup.
• TheapplicantmaylistthepublicationdatesonFormGR/PPh/CONprovidedthattheapplicantsubmitsapaperapplicationratherthananonlineapplication.
NOTE:IftheapplicantusesFormGR/PPh/CON,theapplicantmayincludeupto750photographsinthegroup.
• Alternatively,theapplicantmayprovidearangeofpublicationdates(e.g.,February15,2001throughMay15,2001)intherelevantfield/spaceoftheapplicationwithoutprovidingaspecificdateofpublicationforeachphotographinthegroup,providedthatallofthephotographswerepublishedwithinthreemonthsbeforethedatethattheU.S.CopyrightOfficereceivestheapplication,depositcopies,andfilingfee.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(10)(i)-(vi),(viii)-(ix).
Photographsthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.
Inparticular,applicantscannotusethisproceduretoregisteragroupofphotographsthatincludesbothpublishedandunpublishedphotographs.Anotherkeyrequirementisthatallthephotographsmustbetakenbythesamephotographer.SeeH.R.REP.NO.94-1476,at153-54(1976),reprintedin1976U.S.C.C.A.N.5659,5769-70(statingthat“agroupofphotographsbyonephotographer”mayqualifyasa“groupofrelatedworks”underSection408(c)(1)oftheCopyrightAct).
Ifthephotographswerecreatedasaworkmadeforhire,theapplicantmayusethisgroupregistrationoption,providedthatallthephotographsinthegroupweretakenbythesameindividual.Inotherwords,ifastudiohiredfivephotographerspursuanttoaworkmadeforhireagreement,thestudiomustseparateitsphotographsintofiveseparategroups(i.e.,onegroupforeachphotographer)andsubmitaseparateapplicationforeachgroup.
Applicantswhoprovideaspecificdateofpublicationforeachphotographmayuseanymethoddiscussedabove,providedthattheOfficeisabletoidentifytherelevantdateforeachimageinthegroup.Aslongastheapplicantselectsamethodthatclearlysatisfiesthisrequirement,theapplicationwillbeaccepted.
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
Chapter1100:72 09/29/2017
Iftheapplicantprovidesarangeofpublicationdatesinthepaperapplicationoraspecificdateofpublicationinanonlineorpaperapplication,thatinformationwillbeincludedinthecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecord.
Iftheapplicantprovidesarangeofpublicationdatesintheapplicationandidentifiesthespecificdateofpublicationinthedepositcopies,theOfficewillretainthedepositmaterialforthefulltermofthecopyright.Inallothercases,thedepositcopiesmaybediscardedwithintwentytenyearsaftertheeffectivedateofregistration.
Thedateofpublicationforeachphotographmayappearintheonlinepublicrecordiftheapplicantsubmitstheclaimthroughtheelectronicregistrationsystemandprovidespublicationdatesintheonlineapplication.Publicationdateswillnotappearintheonlinepublicrecordiftheapplicantsubmitsapaperapplication,althoughtheywillappearinthecertificateofregistrationiftheapplicantprovidesthatinformationonFormGR/PPh/CON.Forinformationconcerningtheapplicationrequirementsforthisgroupregistrationoption,seeSection1116.2below.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPublishedPhotographs,70Fed.Reg.15,587(Mar.28,2005);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,65Fed.Reg.26,162(May5,2000).
1116.2 Application Requirements
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasestablishedapilotprogramforapplicantswhowishtoregisteragroupofpublishedphotographsusingtheelectronicregistrationsystem.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(10)(xi).Beforecompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmustcontacttheVisualArtsDivisionat(202)707-8202tocoordinatethefilingandtoobtainproperguidanceconcerningtheinformationthatshouldbeincludedintheapplicationandthepropermethodforsubmittingthedepositcopies.ApplicantswillbepermittedtofileanonlineapplicationforagroupofpublishedphotographsonlyiftheyobtainauthorizationfromtheVisualArtsDivisionandfollowtheinstructionsfromtheDivision.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,76Fed.Reg.4,072,4,075(Jan.24,2011).
Alternatively,theapplicantmayregisteragroupofpublishedphotographsbyusingFormVA.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(10).ForguidanceoncompletingFormVA,seeSection1116.6(A).
AsdiscussedinSection1116.1,theapplicantmayprovideadateofpublicationforeachphotographbycompletingFormVAandFormGR/PPh/CON.IftheapplicantusesFormGR/PPh/CON,theapplicantmayincludeupto750photographsinthegroup.
FormGR/PPh/CONimprovesthequalityoftheregistrationrecordbyprovidingspecificinformationabouteachphotograph,suchasthedateofpublication.Thisinformationwillbeincorporatedintothecertificateofregistration,whichmeansthatitwillbemoreaccessibletothegeneralpublic.Moreover,iftheclaimisregisteredwithinfiveyearsafterthedateofpublication,thereisalegalpresumptionthatthephotographswerepublishedonthedatesspecifiedinFormGR/PPh/CON.See17U.S.C.§410(c).ForguidanceoncompletingFormGR/PPh/CON,seeSection1116.6(B).
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
Chapter1100:73 09/29/2017
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPublishedPhotographs,70Fed.Reg.15,587(Mar.28,2005);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,66Fed.Reg.37,142(July17,2001).
1116.3 Filing Fee Requirements
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(10)(vii).
ThecurrentfeeforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographswithanonlineapplicationissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“Onlineregistrationofgroupsofpublishedphotographs(pilotprogram,seesl-39.
ThecurrentfeeforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographswithapaperapplicationissetforthintheOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormGR/PPh/CON(publishedphotographs)(upto750publishedphotographscanbeidentifiedonFormGR⁄PPh/CONwithasinglefilingfee
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.3through1403.5.
1116.4 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographs.
Inallcases,theapplicantmustsubmitonecopyofeachphotographinthegroupandallthephotographsmustbesubmittedinthesameformat.Theoptionsinclude:
• DigitalimagesstoredononeormoreCD-ROMs(includingCD-RWs)orDVD-ROMsinoneofthefollowingformats:JPEG,GIF,TIFF,orPCD.
• Unmountedprintsmeasuringatleastthreeinchesbythreeinchesandnomorethantwentyinchesbytwenty-fourinches.
• Contactsheets.
• Slideswitheachslidecontainingasingleimage.
• Aformatinwhichthephotographwaspublished(e.g.,clippingsfromnewspapersormagazines).
• Aphotocopyofeachphotographconsistingofeither(i)aphotocopyofanunmountedprintmeasuringatleastthreeinchesbythreeinchesandnomorethantwentyinchesbytwenty-fourinches,or(ii)aphotocopyofthephotographinaformatinwhichitwaspublished(e.g.,clippingsfromnewspapersormagazines),providedthatifthephotographwaspublishedincolor,theapplicantmustsubmitacolorphotocopy.Inallcases,thephotocopymustclearlydepictthephotograph.Photocopiesthatdonotcontainaclearimageofthephotographwillberejected.
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
Chapter1100:74 09/29/2017
See37C.F.R.§§202.3(b)(10)(x),202.20(c)(2)(xx).
TheseformatsarelistedintheorderofpreferencefortheLibraryofCongress’scollections,andapplicantsareencouragedtoselectaformatasclosetothetopofthelistaspossible.
IfthephotographswerepublishedbetweenJanuary1,1978andMarch1,1989,theapplicantmayberequiredtosubmitacopythatshowshoweachphotographwasfirstpublished,includingthecopyrightnotice(ifany)thatappearedonorinconnectionwiththephotograph.Forgeneralinformationconcerningthenoticerequirementsforworkspublishedduringthisperiod,seeChapter2200.Forinformationconcerningthenoticerequirementsforworkspublishedasacontributiontoacollectivework,seeChapter2200,Section2207.2.
TheapplicantmaydeliverthedeposittotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.ForadditionalguidanceondeliveringitemstotheOfficebyhandorbycourier,seeSection1109.8.
PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.AdditionalinformationconcerningtherecommendedprocedurefordeliveringdepositstotheOfficebymailorbycourierispostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/mail.html).
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,66Fed.Reg.37,142(July17,2001).
1116.5 When May an Application for a Group Registration Be Filed?
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillregisterallthephotographstakenbythesamephotographerandpublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear,providedthattheapplicantcomplieswiththerequirementssetforthinSections1116.1through1116.4.Althoughanapplicationforagroupregistrationmaybefiledanytimebeforethecopyrightsexpire,aphotographmustberegisteredinatimelymannerinordertoseekstatutorydamagesandattorney’sfeesinaninfringementaction.Specifically,acopyrightownertypicallymayseektheseremediesifthephotographwasregistered(i)beforetheinfringementcommencedor(ii)withinthreemonthsafterthefirstpublicationofthatwork.See17U.S.C.§412.Therefore,theOfficestronglyencouragesapplicantswhousethisgroupregistrationoptiontosubmittheapplication,depositcopies,andfilingfeewithinthreemonthsaftertheearliestpublicationdateinthegroup.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,65Fed.Reg.26,162,26,164(May5,2000).
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
Chapter1100:75 09/29/2017
Example:
• JohnOlsenpublishedtwophotographsonApril1standMay1st.OnAugust1st,Johnsubmittedanapplicationtoregisterhisphotographs,togetherwiththecorrectfilingfeeandtheproperdepositcopies.TheOfficeissuedagroupregistrationwithaneffectivedateofregistrationofAugust1st.IfathirdpartyinfringedthesephotographsonJuly1st,Johnmaybeabletoclaimstatutorydamagesandattorney’sfeesforthephotographwhichwaspublishedonMay1st.However,hewouldnotbeabletoclaimtheseremediesforthephotographthatwaspublishedonApril1st,becausethatphotographwasregisteredmorethanthreemonthsaftertheworkwasfirstpublished.
ThereisanotherincentiveforapplicantswhopromptlyregistertheirphotographswiththeOffice.AsdiscussedinSection1116.1,applicantswhosubmitagroupofphotographswithinthreemonthsafterpublicationmayprovidearangeofpublicationdateswithoutprovidingaspecificdateofpublicationforeachimage,however,thisinformationmayneedtobeestablishedinanyinfringementaction.
1116.6 Completing the Application: Group Registration of Published Photographs
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographsusingFormVAandFormGR/PPh/CON.
AsdiscussedinSection1116.2,theU.S.CopyrightOfficehasestablishedapilotprogramforapplicantswhowishtoregistergroupsofpublishedphotographsthroughtheelectronicregistrationsystem.ApplicantsmustcontacttheVisualArtsDivisionforauthorizationtousetheonlineapplicationandforguidanceincompletingtheapplicationandsubmittingthedepositcopies.
1116.6(A) Form VA
1116.6(A)(1) Space 1: Title of this Work
InthespacemarkedTitleofThisWorktheapplicantshouldprovideadescriptivetitleforthegroupasawhole.Iftheapplicantfailstocompletethisportionoftheapplicationorfailstoprovideadescriptivetitle,theregistrationspecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicant.
Theapplicantmayprovideatitlethatidentifiesthephotographerandtheyearthatthephotographswerepublished,suchas“JohnSmith’spublishedphotos2001.”Inthealternative,theapplicantmayprovideatitlethatidentifiesthephotographeranddescribesthegeneralsubjectmatterofthephotographs,suchas“JaneSmith’sweddingphotos.”
Theapplicantshouldnotprovide“Untitled,”“NoTitle,”orthelike.Interestedpartiestypicallysearchforworksbytitle,anditmaybeextremelydifficulttofindagroupofphotographsthathasbeenregisteredunderanon-descriptivetitle.
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
Chapter1100:76 09/29/2017
InthespacemarkedPreviousorAlternativeTitlestheapplicantshouldstate“GroupRegistration/PublishedPhotos”andprovidethenumberofphotographsinthegroup.
1116.6(A)(2) Space 2(a): Name of Author / Nature of Authorship
AsdiscussedinSection1116.1,allthephotographsinthegroupmustbecreatedbythesamephotographer.
Theapplicantshouldprovidethephotographer’sfullnameandhisorhernationalityand/ordomicileinspace2(a).Foradefinitionanddiscussionofnationalityanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.
Ifthephotographeris“doingbusinessas”anunincorporatedorganization,thephotographerandtheorganizationareconsideredthesamelegalentity.Inthissituation,thephotographershouldbenamedastheauthorandtheworkmadeforhireboxshouldbechecked“no.”Thenameoftheunincorporatedorganizationshouldnotbeprovidedinspace2.Iftheapplicantwishestoincludethisinformationintheregistrationrecord,thephotographer’sd.b.a.shouldbeprovidedinacoverletter.Theregistrationspecialistwilladdthenameofthephotographer’sd.b.a.tothecertificateofregistrationandtheonlinepublicrecord.Inaddition,thed.b.a.maybeaddedasanindextermifitislikelythatusersmayusethattermtosearchforthephotographer’sworks.
Bycontrast,ifthephotographswerecreatedasaworkmadeforhire,theapplicantshouldcheckthe“yes”boxthatappearsundertheheading“Wasthiscontributiontotheworka‘workmadeforhire’?”Inspace2(a)theapplicantshouldprovide(i)thenameofthephotographerand(ii)thenameofthephotographer’semployerorthepartywhospeciallyorderedorcommissionedthephotographs.
Example:
• Matte&GlossyStudioLLC,employerforhireofMoisesDaGama.
IntheNatureofAuthorshipspacetheapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“photograph.”Alloftheotherboxesshouldbeleftempty.Iftheapplicantattemptstoregisteranyothertypeofauthorship,theregistrationspecialistwillasktheapplicanttoremovethatauthorshipfromtheclaim.
1116.6(A)(3) Space 3(a): Year in Which Creation of This Work Was Completed
Theapplicantshouldidentifytheyearinwhichthephotographercreatedthemostrecentphotographinthegroup.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section611.
1116.6(A)(4) Space 3(b): Date and Nation of First Publication of This Particular Work
Toregisteragroupofpublishedphotographstheapplicantmustprovidepublicationdatesforeachphotographinthegroup.
Applicantsarestronglyencouragedtoprovideaspecificdateofpublicationforeachphotographinthegroup.
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
Chapter1100:77 09/29/2017
Ifallthephotographswerepublishedonthesamedate,theapplicantshouldenterthatdateonline3(b)oftheapplication,includingthemonth,day,andyear.Iftheapplicantcannotdeterminetheexactdateofpublication,theapplicantmayprovideaqualifiedstatement,suchas“approximately,”“onorabout,”“onorbefore,”“notlaterthan,”orthelike.Theregistrationspecialistwilladdthisstatementtotheregistrationrecordwithanannotation,suchas:“Regardingpublication:Applicantstates‘OnoraboutApril13,2008.’”
NOTE:AlthoughtheOfficemayacceptsuchastatement,preciseinformationmaybenecessarytoenforcethecopyrightinaparticularphotograph.
Ifthephotographswerepublishedondifferentdates,theapplicantshouldprovidearangeofpublicationdatesinspace3(b).Forexample,iftheearliestphotographinthegroupwaspublishedonOctober7,2011andthelatestphotographwaspublishedonOctober23,2011theapplicantshouldstate“October7,2001throughOctober23,2011”online3(b).Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovideaspecificdateofpublication(month,day,andyear)foreachphotographinthegroupbyusingoneofthemethodsdiscussedinSection1116.1.
Alternatively,theapplicantmayprovidearangeofpublicationdates(e.g.,February16,2010throughFebruary24,2010)insteadofprovidingaspecificdateofpublicationforeachphotograph,providedthatallthephotographswerepublishedwithinthreemonthsbeforethedatethattheU.S.CopyrightOfficereceivedtheapplication,depositcopies,andfilingfee.Therangeofdatesshouldbeprovidedinspace3(b)oftheapplication.
AsdiscussedinSection1116.1,allthephotographsinthegroupmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear.Iftheapplicantstatesthatthephotographswerepublishedoveraperiodoftwoormorecalendaryears(e.g.,October21,2012throughFebruary15,2013),theregistrationspecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicant.
Theapplicantshouldnotprovideanydateofpublicationthatoccursinthefuture.
1116.6(A)(5) Space 4: Copyright Claimant(s) / Transfer
AsdiscussedinSection1116.1,thecopyrightclaimantforallofthephotographsmustbethesamepersonororganization.Theapplicantshouldprovidetheclaimant’sfullnameandaddressinspace4oftheapplication.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Sections619.
Ifthepersonnamedinspace2(a)isnotthesamepersonnamedinspace4,theapplicantshouldprovideabrieftransferstatementinspace4thatexplainshowtheclaimantobtainedthecopyrightinthesephotographs.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section620.9.
1116.6(A)(6) Spaces 5 through 9
Spaces5and6oftheapplicationshouldbeleftblank.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationOptions,73Fed.Reg.23,390,23,391-92(Apr.30,2008).
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
Chapter1100:78 09/29/2017
Forguidanceincompletingspaces7,8and9,seeChapter600,Section622.4,622.2space7,and624.
1116.6(B) Form GR/PPh/CON
FormGR/PPh/CONmaybeusedtoprovidetitles,publicationdates,andotheridentifyinginformationforeachphotographinthegroup.Completingthisformisoptional,althoughitdoesprovidecertainadvantagesthatarediscussedinSection1116.2.
IftheapplicantusesFormGR/PPh/CON,theformmustbesubmittedtogetherwithFormVA.
TheapplicantmayincludeuptofifteenphotographsonasinglesheetofFormGR/PPh/CON.Ifthegroupcontainsmorethanfifteenphotographs,theapplicantshouldcompleteandsubmitadditionalsheets.TheapplicantmaysubmituptofiftysheetsofFormGR/PPh/CONwitheachapplication.Thus,iftheapplicantusesthisform,thegroupmustcontainnomorethan750photographs.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPublishedPhotographs,70Fed.Reg.15,587(Mar.28,2005).
1116.6(B)(1) Space A: Identification of Author and Claimant
InspaceAofFormGR/PPh/CON,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameoftheindividualwhocreatedthephotographsandthenameoftheclaimantwhoownsthecopyrightinthosephotographs.Thenamesprovidedinthesespacesshouldbeidenticaltothenamesthattheapplicantprovidedinspaces2(a)and4ofFormVA.
1116.6(B)(2) Spaces B & C: Copyright Registration for a Group of Published Photographs
InspaceBofFormGR/PPh/CONtheapplicantshouldprovideatitleforeachphotographinthegroup.TheOfficewillacceptatitleconsistingsolelyofnumbersand/orletters,suchas1812orTHX-1138.SeeChapter600,Section610.6(C).However,theapplicantshouldnotprovide“Untitled,”“NoTitle,”orthelike,becauseinterestedpartiestypicallysearchforworksbytitleanditmaybeimpossibletolocateaphotographintherecordifnotitlehasbeenprovided.
Theapplicantshouldprovidethedateoffirstpublicationforeachphotograph(includingthemonth,day,andyear)andthenameofthecountrywhereeachphotographwasfirstpublished.Theapplicantshouldprovideaseparateentryforeachphotograph,evenifmultiplephotographswerepublishedonthesamedate.Forguidanceincompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Sections612and617.
TheapplicantmayprovideabriefdescriptionofeachphotographinthespacemarkedDescriptionofPhotograph.Forexample,ifthephotographwaspublishedinaperiodical,theapplicantmayprovidethetitleoftheperiodicalwherethephotographwaspublished,alongwiththevolume,number,andissuedate(ifany)forthatperiodicalandthepagenumber(s)(ifany)wherethephotographappeared.
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
Chapter1100:79 09/29/2017
AsdiscussedinSection1116.1,allthecontributionsmustbepublishedwithinatwelve-monthperiod(e.g.,March25,2003throughMarch24,2004).Ideally,thephotographsshouldbelistedinFormGR/PPh/CONinchronologicalorder.
ThephotographsthataresubmittedtotheOfficeshouldbelabeledinsuchawaythateachphotographcanbecross-referencedwiththeinformationthatappearsinFormGR/PPh/CON.Forexample,theapplicantmaynumberaparticularentryusingtheboxmarked“number”andthenwritethatnumberonthebackofthecorrespondingphotograph(iftheapplicantsubmitsprintsorslides)orincorporatethatnumberintothefilenameforthecorrespondingphotograph(iftheapplicantsubmitsdigitalimages).
ForguidanceincompletingspaceC,seeChapter600,Section622.4.
1116.7 Photographs That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements
Iftheapplicantisunabletousethisgroupregistrationoption,itmaybepossibletoregisteragroupofphotographsbyusingthegroupregistrationoptionforcontributionstoperiodicals.SeeSection1115.
Ifthephotographshavenotbeenpublished,itmaybepossibletoregisterthemasanunpublishedcollection.SeeChapter1100,Section1106.
Alternatively,theapplicantmayregisteraparticularphotographonanindividualbasis.Specifically,theapplicantmayprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositforeachphotographandmaysubmittheseitemsthroughtheelectronicregistrationsystemorwithapaperapplication.Forguidanceonregisteringanindividualphotograph,seeChapter900,Section909.
1117 Databases
ThisSectiondiscussestheU.S.CopyrightOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringagroupofupdatesorrevisionstoadatabase.
Thisgroupregistrationoptionmaybeusedtoregisteraspecificversionofadatabasethatexistedonaparticulardateand/orthesubsequentupdatesorrevisionstothatdatabasewithinathree-monthperiod.Itmaybeusedtoregisteragroupofupdatesorrevisionstoasingle-fileoramulti-filedatabase,regardlessofwhetherpriorversionsofthedatabasehavebeenregisteredbefore.
ThisSectionalsodiscussestheOffice’scurrentpracticesandproceduresforregisteringupdatesorrevisionstoadatabasethatpredominantlyconsistsofphotographs.
Asdiscussedabove,theOfficeallowsapplicantstoregistergroupsofphotographs,providedthatcertainrequirementshavebeenmet.TheproceduresforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographsarediscussedinSection1116,theproceduresforregisteringphotographsthathavebeenpublishedasacontributiontoaperiodicalarediscussedinSection1115,whiletheproceduresforregisteringagroupofunpublishedphotographsarediscussedinChapter1100,Section1106.Individualphotographersmayuseanyoftheseoptionstoregistertheirimages,buttheycannotusethegroupregistrationoptionforphotographicdatabases,eveniftheirimageshavebeenincluded
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
Chapter1100:80 09/29/2017
inadatabasethatconsistspredominantlyofphotographs.Thegroupregistrationoptionforphotographicdatabasesisonlyavailablefordatabaseowners,suchasstockphotographyagenciesandothercopyrightownersthatwishtoregistertheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthedatabase,aswellasthephotographswithinthedatabasethatwereauthoredbyortransferredtothecopyrightclaimant.SeeDepositRequirementsforRegistrationofAutomatedDatabasesthatPredominantlyConsistofPhotographs,77Fed.Reg.40,268,40,269&n.1(July9,2012).
DatabasesposespecialproblemsfortheOfficebecausetheyareconstantlychangingandtheupdatesorrevisionstypicallycontainsmallincrementsofinformation.Duetotheprocessingcostsandadministrativeburdensinvolvedwithexaminingthesetypesofworks,theOfficeappliesthisregulationnarrowlyanddoesnotapplythisgroupregistrationoptiontoothergroupsofrelatedworks.Inparticular,thisoptioncannotbeusedtoregistertheupdatesorrevisionstoawebsiteoracomputerprogram.Whileawebsitemaybeusedtoaccessadatabaseandacomputerprogrammaybeusedtomanipulatetheinformationwithinadatabase,theseworksarenotdatabasesasdefinedinSection1117.1below.
SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,RegistrationandDepositofDatabases,54Fed.Reg.13,177(Mar.31,1989).
1117.1 What Is a Database?
Followinganextensiverulemaking,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconcludedthatadatabasecreatedorpublishedonaparticulardateandanysubsequentupdatesandrevisionstothatdatabasemayqualifyasa“groupofrelatedworks”underSection408(c)(1)oftheCopyrightAct.TheOfficeexplainedthat“factorssuchas[the]size,complexityandtechnologicalcharacteristics”oftheseworks,aswellastheir“rapidlychangingcontent”“distinguishtheautomateddatabasefromothergroupsofrelatedworks.”SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,RegistrationandDepositofDatabases,54Fed.Reg.13,177,13,178(Mar.31,1989).
Forpurposesofcopyrightregistration,adatabaseisdefinedasacompilationofdigitalinformationcomprisedofdata,information,abstracts,images,maps,music,soundrecordings,video,otherdigitizedmaterial,orreferencestoaparticularsubjectorsubjects.Inallcases,thecontentofadatabasemustbearrangedinasystematicmanner,anditmustbeaccessedsolelybymeansofanintegratedinformationretrievalprogramorsystemwiththefollowingcharacteristics:
• Aqueryfunctionmustbeusedtoaccessthecontent.
• Theinformationretrievalprogramorsystemmustyieldasubsetofthecontent,oritmustorganizethecontentbasedontheparametersspecifiedineachquery.
Asingle-filedatabaseisadatabasecomprisedofonedatafilethatcontainsagroupofdatarecordspertainingtoacommonsubject,regardlessofthesizeoramountofthedatathattherecordscontain.Amulti-filedatabaseisadatabasecomprisedofseparateanddistinctgroupsofdatarecordscoveringmultiplesubjects.Adatarecordcontainsalltheinformationrelatedtoaparticularunitofinformationwithinadatabase.Adatafile
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
Chapter1100:81 09/29/2017
isdefinedasagroupofdatarecordspertainingtoacommonsubjectmatter,regardlessofthesizeoftherecordsortheamountofdatatheycontain.37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(vii)(D)(2).
Asageneralrule,databasesareconsideredmachine-readableworksbecausetheyarefixedorpublishedinopticaldiscs,magnetictapes,orsimilarstoragemedia,andasaresulttheycannotbeperceivedwithouttheaidofamachineordevice.See37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(vii).
1117.2 The Scope of a Group Registration for a Database
ThelegislativehistoryfortheCopyrightActstatesthat“computerdatabases”maybeprotectedbycopyright“totheextentthattheyincorporateauthorshipintheprogrammer’sexpressionoforiginalideas,asdistinguishedfromtheideasthemselves.”H.R.REP.NO.94-1476,at54(1976),reprintedin1976U.S.C.C.A.N.5659,5667.
Whenexaminingadatabase,theprinciplequestionthattheU.S.CopyrightOfficemustconsideriswhethertheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofdataorothercomponentelementswithinthedatabaseissufficientlycreativetowarrantregistration.Specifically,adatabaseand/ortheupdatesorrevisionstothatdatabasetypicallymaycontainthefollowingformsofauthorship:
• Theselectionauthorshipinvolvedinchoosingthematerialordatathatisincludedinthedatabase.
• Thecoordinationauthorshipinvolvedinclassifying,categorizing,ordering,orgroupingthematerialordata.
• Thearrangementauthorshipinvolvedindeterminingtheplacementorarrangementofthematerialordatawithinthedatabaseasawhole.
• Theauthorshipinthematerialordatathatappearswithinthedatabase,suchasthetextandphotographsthatappearinadatabaseofrealestatelistingsorthedatathatappearsinadatabaseoffinancialinformation.
Eachformofauthorshipmayprovideabasisberegisteredusingthegroupregistrationoptionforregisteringadatabasedatabases,providedthattheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementissufficientlycreative.
Iftheworkisregisterableasadatabase,theregistrationmaycoverthecomponentelementsthatappearwithinthedatabase,suchasphotographs,soundrecordings,orvideos,containsasufficientamountoforiginalexpressionandprovidedthat(i)theclaimantownsthecopyrightinthoseelements,(ii)thereisasufficientamountofcreativeexpressioninthoseelements,and(iii)thoseelementshavenotbeenpreviouslypublishedorpreviouslyregistered.(Innocasemayaclaimantregisterelementsthatareinthepublicdomain.)However,thecopyrightablecomponentelementsarenotsufficient–inandofthemselves–tosupportadatabaseregistrationunlesstheselection,coordination,and/orarrangementofthoseelementswiththedatabaseisalsosufficientlycreativethatmaterial.
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
Chapter1100:82 09/29/2017
Agroupofupdatesorrevisionsshouldbesubmittedforgroupregistrationonlyiftheupdatesorrevisionsmeetthestatutorystandardforanoriginalworkofauthorship.Iftheydonot“satisfytheoriginalworkofauthorshipstandardforcopyrightprotection,thennonewregistrationisnecessaryorwarranted.”RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,RegistrationandDepositofDatabases,54Fed.Reg.13,177,13,179(Mar.31,1989).“WheretheOfficedeterminesthatonlyafewminorrevisionshavebeenmadeintherepresentativedeposit,registrationwillbesubjecttoquestion,andabsentmorejustification,willbedenied.”Id.
Inallcases,theauthor’sselection,coordination,and/orarrangementmustbeevidentinthedepositmaterial.Iftheidentifyingmaterialorthedescriptivestatementdonotdemonstratethattheupdatesorrevisionsconstituteanoriginalworkofauthorship,theOfficemaycommunicatewiththeapplicantormayrefusetoregistertheclaim.
1117.3 Eligibility Requirements
Anapplicantmayusethisgroupregistrationoptiontoregisteragroupofupdatesorrevisionstoadatabase,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:
• Theupdatesorrevisionsmustbeoriginalworksofauthorship.
• TheupdatesorrevisionsmustbeaddedtoadatabaseasdefinedinSection1117.1.
• Alltheupdatesorrevisionstothedatabasemusthavethesamegeneraltitle.
• Thesubjectandgeneralcontentoftheupdatesorrevisionsmustbesimilar.
• Theorganizationoftheupdatesorrevisionsmustbesimilar.
• Alltheupdatesorrevisionsmustbeownedbythesamecopyrightclaimant.
Inaddition,theapplicantmustsatisfythefollowingconditionsifthedatabaseisunpublished:
• Thedatabaseand/ortheupdatesorrevisionstothedatabasemustbefixedsolelyinmachine-readablecopies.
• Thedatabaseand/ortheupdatesorrevisionsmustbecreatedwithinathree-monthperiodwithinasinglecalendaryear(e.g.,February1,2007throughApril30,2007;May1,2008throughJuly31,2008;September1,2009throughNovember30,2009).
Ifthedatabasehasbeenpublished,theapplicantmustsatisfythefollowingconditions:
• Thedatabaseand/ortheupdatesorrevisionsmustbepublishedsolelyinmachine-readablecopies.
• Thedatabaseand/ortheupdatesorrevisionsmustbepublishedwithinathree-monthperiodwithinasinglecalendaryear(e.g.,June1,2011throughAugust31,
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
Chapter1100:83 09/29/2017
2011;July1,2010throughSeptember30,2010;September1,2012throughNovember30,2012).
• IfthedatabasewaspublishedbeforeMarch1,1989,eachupdateorrevisionmustbearaseparatecopyrightnotice,thenoticemustcontainthecopyrightowner’sname(oranabbreviationbywhichtheownercanberecognizedoragenerallyknownalternativedesignationfortheowner),andthenamethatappearsineachnoticemustbethesame.
See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(5)(i)(A)-(F).
Databases,updates,orrevisionsthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.
1117.4 Application Requirements
Asageneralrule,theapplicantmustuseapaperapplicationtoregisteradatabaseand/oragroupofupdatesorrevisionstothatdatabase.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(5)(ii)(A).Unlikemostgroupregistrationoptions,applicantsdonotneedtouseaspecialform.Instead,theapplicantshouldusetheformthatismostappropriateforthesubjectmatteroftheworksthatappearinthedatabase.Seeid.Forexample,iftheworksinthedatabaseconsistprimarilyofwords,numbers,orotherverbalornumericalsymbolsorindicia,theapplicantshoulduseFormTX.Iftheworksconsistpredominantlyofphotographs,theapplicantshoulduseFormVA.Forguidanceoncompletingthepaperapplication,seeSection1117.7.
Thereisalimitedexceptiontothisrule.Adatabasethatconsistspredominantlyofphotographsand/ortheupdatesorrevisionstothatdatabasemayberegisteredwithanonlineapplicationasaresultofapilotproject.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(5)(ii)(A).Beforecompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantmustcontacttheVisualArtsDivisionat(202)707-8202tocoordinatethefilingandtoobtainproperguidanceconcerningtheinformationthatshouldbeincludedintheapplicationandthepropermethodforsubmittingthedepositcopies.ApplicantswillbepermittedtofileanonlineapplicationforadatabasethatconsistspredominantlyofphotographsonlyiftheyobtainauthorizationfromtheVisualArtsDivisionandfollowtheinstructionsfromtheDivision.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,76Fed.Reg.4,072,4,075(Jan.24,2011).
1117.5 Filing Fee Requirements
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(5)(ii)(B).
ThecurrentfeeforregisteringagroupofupdatesorrevisionstoadatabaseusingapaperapplicationissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“Groupautomateddatabaseupdates(paperapplicationonly)”.
ThecurrentfeeforregisteringadatabasethatpredominantlyconsistsofphotographsusinganonlineapplicationissetforthintheOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“Onlineregistrationofgroupsofpublishedphotographs(pilotprogram,seesl-39).”
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
Chapter1100:84 09/29/2017
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections1403.3through1403.5.
1117.6 Deposit Requirements
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringadatabaseand/oragroupofupdatesorrevisionstothatdatabase.Allapplicantsmustcomplywiththeserequirements,regardlessofwhethertheyintendtoregistertheupdatesorrevisionsforasingle-filedatabaseoramulti-filedatabase.
Theserequirementsareintendedtoalleviatesomeoftheadministrativeburdensinvolvedwithexaminingagroupofrelatedworks.Indevelopingtheserequirements,theOfficealsoconsideredtheuniquefactorsthatdistinguishdatabasesfromothertypesofworks,suchas“frequentupdates;incrementalchanges,whicharesometimesminor;theabsenceofahard-copyrecordofthechangesingeneral;andthetendencytocomminglecopyrightableanduncopyrightablematter.”RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,RegistrationandDepositofDatabases,54Fed.Reg.13,177,13,178-79(Mar.31,1989).
1117.6(A) Databases That Do Not Consist Predominantly of Photographs
ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforadatabasethatdoesnotconsistpredominantlyofphotographs.
Inallcases,theapplicantshouldprepareandsubmitabriefstatementthatdescribesthedatabase.ThespecificrequirementsforthisdescriptivestatementarediscussedinSection1117.6(C).
Theapplicantdoesnotneedtosubmitacompletecopyoftheentiredatabase.Instead,theapplicantshouldgatherarepresentativeportionofthedatabaseusingoneofthemethodsdiscussedbelowandshouldsubmitonecopyofthatmaterialtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficeinaformthatisvisuallyperceptiblewithouttheaidofamachineordevice.See37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(vii)(D).
AsdiscussedinSection1117.3,alltheupdatesorrevisionsinthegroupmustbecreatedorpublishedwithinathree-monthperiodwithinthesamecalendaryear.Theapplicantshouldselectarepresentativedatefromthatthree-monthperiodandgatherfiftypagesorfiftydatarecordsthatappearedinthedatabaseonthatdate.See37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(vii)(D)(5).Thepagesorrecordsshouldbemarkedtoshowthecopyrightableupdatesorrevisionsthatwerecreatedorpublishedontheselecteddate.Theapplicantdoesnotneedtospecifyeverycopyrightablechangethatappearsinthesepagesorrecords.However,theapplicantshouldidentifyasufficientamountofnewmaterialtodemonstratethattheupdatesorrevisionsconstituteanoriginalworkofauthorship.SeeRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,RegistrationandDepositofDatabases,54Fed.Reg.13,177,13,178-79(Mar.31,1989).
Alternatively,theapplicantmayselectarepresentativedatefromthethree-monthperiod,andgatherfiftypagesorfiftydatarecordsthatappearedinthedatabaseonthatdate.Thepagesorrecordsmustconsistentirelyofnewcopyrightablematerialthatwascreatedorpublishedontheselecteddate.Inaddition,theapplicantshouldsubmita
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
Chapter1100:85 09/29/2017
coverletterconfirmingthatthepagesorrecordsarecomprisedentirelyofnewcopyrightablematerialthatwascreatedorpublishedonthesamedate.Seeid.
Inallcases,theapplicantshouldwritethenameofthedatabaseonthefirstpageorthefirstrecordthatisincludedinthedepositmaterial.
IfthedatabasehasbeenfixedinaCD-ROMandifthegroupofupdatesorrevisionscanbediscernedfromthatformat,theapplicantmaysubmitonecompletecopyoftheentireCD-ROMpackage,includingacompletecopyofanyaccompanyingoperatingsoftwareandinstructionalmanual.37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(xix).IftheregistrationspecialistisunabletoaccesstheCD-ROMorunabletodeterminewhethernewcopyrightablematerialwasaddedtothedatabaseduringthethree-monthperiodspecifiedintheapplication,heorshewillasktheapplicanttosubmitarepresentativeportionofthedatabaseusingoneofthemethodsdiscussedabove.
IfthedatabasehasbeenfixedorpublishedinaCD-ROMandiftheOfficepreviouslyissuedagroupregistrationforthatdatabase,theapplicantmaysubmitaCD-ROMcontainingsubsequentupdatesorrevisionstothatsamedatabase,providedthatthedescriptivestatement(i)identifiesthenewmaterialthatwasaddedtothedatabaseduringtheperiodspecifiedintheapplication,and(ii)confirmsthattheupdatesorrevisionsaresimilartotheupdatesorrevisionsspecifiedinthepreviousregistration.
PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.AdditionalinformationconcerningtherecommendedprocedurefordeliveringdepositstotheOfficebymailorbycourierispostedontheOffice’swebsite(www.copyright.gov/mail.htmlThedepositmaybedeliveredbymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice..)
PackagesthataredeliveredtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymailorbycourierwillbeirradiatedtodestroypossiblecontaminants,suchasanthrax.ThisprocessmaydamageCD-ROMsorothercompactdiscs.Toavoidthisresult,applicantsarestronglyencouragedtosendthesetypesofmaterialsinboxesratherthanenvelopes.ForadditionalguidanceondeliveringitemstotheOfficebyhandorbycourier,seeSection1109.8.
1117.6(B) Databases That Predominantly Consist of Photographs
ThisSectiondiscussestheminimumdepositrequirementsforadatabasethatconsistspredominantlyofphotographs.Insomecases,theVisualArtsDivisionmayasktheapplicanttosubmitadditionaldepositmaterial,particularlywhentheclaimissubmittedusingtheelectronicregistrationsystem.Forspecificguidance,applicantsshouldcontacttheVisualArtsDivisionat(202)707-8202.
Inallcases,theapplicantshouldprepareandsubmitabriefstatementthatdescribesthedatabase.ThespecificrequirementsforthisdescriptivestatementarediscussedinSection1117.6(C).
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
Chapter1100:86 09/29/2017
Iftheapplicantintendstoregisterthephotographsthatwereaddedtothedatabaseduringtheperiodspecifiedintheapplication,theapplicantmustsubmitacopyofeachphotographthatisincludedintheclaim.See37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(vii)(D)(8).
TheapplicantmaysubmitthephotographsinusingoneoftheformatsdescribedinSection1116.4,andmaydeliverthedeposittotheU.S.CopyrightOfficebymail,bycourier,orbyhanddeliverytothePublicInformationOffice.Foradditionalguidanceonthesedeliveryoptions,seeSection1109.8.
Inthealternative,theapplicantmayuploadthephotographsinanelectronicformat,providedthattheapplicant(i)obtainspermissiontousetheelectronicregistrationsystemfromtheVisualArtsDivision,and(ii)submitstheonlineapplicationandthedepositcopiesafterconsultingwith,andunderthesupervisionof,thatDivision.
Iftheapplicantintendstoregistertheauthorshipinvolvedinselecting,coordinating,and/orarrangingthephotographsthatappearinthedatabase,butdoesnotintendtoregistertheindividualphotographs,theapplicantshouldsubmitarepresentativeportionofthedatabaseusingoneofthemethodsdescribedinSection1117.6(A).
SeegenerallyDepositRequirementsforRegistrationofAutomatedDatabasesThatPredominantlyConsistofPhotographs,76Fed.Reg.5,106(Jan.28,2011);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,76Fed.Reg.4,072(Jan.24,2011).
1117.6(C) Descriptive Statement
Inallcases,theapplicantmustsubmitabrieftypedorprintedstatementcontainingthefollowinginformation:
• Thetitleofthedatabase.
• Thenameandaddressofthecopyrightclaimant
• Asubtitle,dateofcreation,ordateofpublication(ifany)thatmaybeusedtodistinguishanyseparateordistinctdatafileswithinthedatabase.
• Thenameandcontentofeachseparatedatafile,includingitssubject,theorigin(s)ofthedata,andtheapproximatenumberofdatarecordsthatitcontains.
• Thenatureandfrequencyofthechangesinthedatabaseandthelocationwithinthedatabaseortheseparatedatafileswherethechangesappear.Whendescribingthenatureofthechanges,applicantsshouldclearlyarticulatetheauthorshipclaimedinthesechanges.
Ifthedatabasecontainsacopyrightnotice,thedescriptivestatementshouldprovidethefollowinginformation:
• Ifthenoticeisinamachine-readableformat,theapplicantshouldprovidetheexactcontentofthenoticeandindicatethemannerandfrequencywithwhichitis
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
Chapter1100:87 09/29/2017
displayed(e.g.,ataterminalwhenausersignson,continuouslyontheterminaldisplay,onprintoutsfromthedatabase,etc.).
• Ifthenoticeappearsoncopiesofthedatabaseoronmagnetictapereelsorthecontainersforthosereels,theapplicantshouldsubmitaphotocopyorothersampleofthenotice.
See37C.F.R.§202.20(c)(2)(vii)(D)(5)-(7).
Thefollowingisarepresentativeexampleofadescriptivestatementforagroupofupdatesandrevisionsforamulti-filedatabase:
• TitleofDatabase:RealEstateDatabasefortheWashington,DCMetropolitanArea.
• NameandAddressofCopyrightClaimant:RealtorTrack,LLC,102IndependenceAvenueSE,Washington,DC20559.
• DescriptionofDatabase:Thisisamulti-filedatabasecontainingrealestatelistings.Allfilesareupdatedminute-by-minute.Adescriptionofeachdatafileappearsbelow.
• NameofDatafile:ActiveListings.
- Content:SelectedrealestateinformationandpropertydescriptionsforrealestatelistingswithintheWashington,DCmetropolitanarea.
- Origin:Alldataissubmittedbyrealtorswhousethedatabase;dataisentereddirectlyintotheclaimant’sonlinecomputersystem
- Numberofrecords:Approximately3,500.
- FrequencyofChanges:Approximately600newlistingsareenteredintothisfileeachmonth.
- NatureofChanges:Newlistingsarearrangedbyzipcode,neighborhood,schooldistrict,typeofproperty,yearofconstruction,numberofbedroomsandbathrooms,listprice,anddateofentryinthedatabase.
• NameofDatafile:SoldListings.
- Content:SelectedrealestateinformationandpropertydescriptionsforrealestatelistingsthathavebeensoldwithintheWashington,DCmetropolitanareawithinthepastfiveyears.RecordsfromtheActiveListingsdatafilearetransferredintheirentiretytotheSoldListingsdatafileafterapropertyhasbeensold.
- Origin:Alldataissubmittedbyrealtorswhousethedatabase;dataisentereddirectlyintotheclaimant’sonlinecomputersystem.
- Numberofrecords:11,500.
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
Chapter1100:88 09/29/2017
- FrequencyofChanges:Approximately250recordsfromtheActiveListingsdatafilearetransferredintheirentiretytotheSoldListingsfileonamonthlybasis.
- NatureofChanges:Listingsarearrangedbyzipcode,neighborhood,schooldistrict,typeofproperty,saleprice,anddateofsale.
• NameofDatafile:Updates.
- Content:Asummaryofinformationforlistingsthathavebeenchanged.
- Origin:Producedautomaticallybytheclaimant’scomputersystem.ThisisasubsetoftheActiveListingsdatafile.
- NumberofRecords:1,000.
- FrequencyofChanges:ChangesinvolvingthepropertiesreferencedintheActiveListingsdatafilearemadeonadailybasis.
- NatureofChanges:Updatesarearrangedtoreflectdaysonthemarket,changesinlistprice,orchangeinthestatusoftheproperty(e.g.,undercontract,sold,etc.).
• NameofDatafile:Statistics.
- Content:Thisfileincludesstatistics,suchasthenumberoflistingstaken,soldundercontract,expired,etc.
- Origin:StatisticsarecompiledfromtheActiveListingsfilebytheclaimant’scomputersystem.
- NumberofRecords:150.
- FrequencyofChanges:Statisticsforthecurrentyearareupdatedeachnight.
- NatureofChanges:Updatesarearrangedchronologicallyandbysubjectmatter.
• CopyrightNotice:Thefollowingcopyrightnoticeisdisplayedatsign-onscreen:Copyright2013RealtorTrackLLC.
1117.7 Completing the Application: Group Registration of Databases
ThisSectionprovidesguidanceforregisteringadatabaseand/oragroupofupdatesorrevisionsusingFormsTX,VA,PA,orVASR.
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasestablishedapilotprogramforapplicantswhowishtoregisterdatabasesthatconsistpredominantlyofphotographsusingtheelectronicregistrationsystem.AsdiscussedinSection1117.4,applicantsmustcontacttheVisual
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
Chapter1100:89 09/29/2017
ArtsDivisionforauthorizationtousetheonlineapplicationandforguidanceincompletingtheapplicationandsubmittingthedepositcopies.
AsdiscussedinSection1117.3,theupdatesorrevisionsinthegroupmustbecreatedorpublishedwithinaperiodofthreemonthsorless.Theapplicationmaybesubmittedonthelastdayofthisperiodoranytimethereafter(regardlessofwhethertheapplicantusestheonlineregistrationsystemorapaperapplication).However,iftheapplicationisreceivedbeforethelastdayoftheperiodspecifiedintheapplication,theregistrationspecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicant.
1117.7(A) Space 1: Title
Theapplicantshouldprovidethetitleofthedatabaseonspace1oftheapplicationundertheheadingmarkedTitleofThisWork.Thetitleshouldbeprovidedtogetherwiththefollowingstatement:“Groupregistrationfordatabasetitled[insertthetitleofthedatabase].”
AsdiscussedinSection1117.3,alltheupdatesorrevisionsinthegroupmustbecreatedorpublishedwithinathree-monthperiodwithinthesamecalendaryear.Thisperiodshouldbespecifiedonspace1oftheapplicationundertheheadingmarkedTitleofThisWork,preferablyinthefollowingformat:“Updatesandrevisionsfrom[insertfirstdateintheperiod]to[insertthelastdayintheperiod].”
AsdiscussedinSection1117.6(A),theapplicantshouldselectarepresentativedatefromtheperiodspecifiedintheTitleofThisWorkspace,andsubmitfiftypagesorfiftydatarecordsthatwereaddedtothedatabaseonthatdate.Theapplicantshouldprovidethatdateinspace1undertheheadingmarkedPublicationasaContribution,preferablyinthefollowingformat:“RepresentativeDate:[insertmonth,day,andyear].”Inaddition,theapplicantshouldspecifythefrequencythatupdatesorrevisionsaremadetothedatabase(e.g.,daily,weekly,monthly,etc.).
Iftheapplicantisunabletosubmitfiftyrecordsfromaspecificdate,theapplicantmaysubmitaselectionofrecordsthatwereaddedtothedatabaseonmultipledates.Inthissituation,theapplicantmayprovidearangeofdatesinspace1,preferablyinthefollowingformat:“RepresentativeDates:[insertmonth(s),day(s),andyearhere].”
NOTE:ThereisnoneedtocompletethePublicationasaContributionspaceifthedatabaseconsistspredominantlyofphotographs.
1117.7(B) SpaceSpaces 2: Name of Author / Nature of Authorship
Inspace2(a)theapplicantshouldprovidethefullnameoftheauthorwhocreatedtheupdatesorrevisionsforthedatabase,aswellastheauthor’scountryofcitizenshipand/ordomicile.
Iftheupdatesorrevisionswerecreatedbymorethanoneauthor,theapplicantmaylisttheotherauthorsonspaces2(b)and2(c)oronFormCON,althoughprovidingthisinformationisoptional.
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
Chapter1100:90 09/29/2017
Iftheupdatesorrevisionswerecreatedasworksmadeforhire,theapplicantshouldchecktheboxmarked“yes”thatappearsundertheheading“wasthiscontributiontotheworka‘workmadeforhire’?”
ForguidanceinprovidingtheAuthor’sName,seeChapter600,Section613.9.Forguidanceinprovidingtheauthor’scitizenshipanddomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofworksmadeforhire,seeChapter500,Section506.
Theapplicantshouldidentifythecopyrightableauthorshipthattheauthorcontributedtotheupdatesorrevisions.Theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace2(a)undertheheadingmarkedNatureofAuthorship.
TheOfficemayacceptanyofthetermslistedbelow,providedthattheyaccuratelydescribethecopyrightableauthorshipthatappearsinandissupportedbythedepositcopy.Inmostcases,theOfficewillacceptcombinationsorvariantformsoftheseterms,unlesstheyarecontradictedbyinformationprovidedinthedepositcopiesorelsewhereintheregistrationmaterials.
• Compilationofdata.
• Compilationofdatabaseinformation.
• Compilationofphotographs.
• Compilationofartwork.
• Compilationandtext.
• Revisedandupdatedcompilation.
• Textofdatabase.
NOTE:TheapplicantshouldalsosubmitaseparateInthedescriptivestatement,withrespecttothenatureofthechanges,theapplicantshouldexplainanycompilationclaimthatdescribes(e.g.,theselection,coordination,and/orarrangementthattheauthorcontributedtothedatabase.Forinformationconcerningthisrequirement,seeSection1117.6(C).ofphotographsbyJonathanHopkins).
Theauthorshipthattheapplicantintendstoregistershouldbeclearlyidentifiedintheapplicationandthedescriptivestatement,andtheclaimtocopyrightinthatauthorshipshouldbeclearlystated.Iftheclaimisunclear,theregistrationspecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicantormayrefuseregistration.Examplesofuncleartermsincludethefollowingoranycombinationofthefollowing:
• Datadictionary.
• Datainsertion.
• Datalayoutorformat.
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
Chapter1100:91 09/29/2017
• Datamanipulation.
• Databasefeatures.
Iftheapplicantassertsaclaiminboththecopyrightableanduncopyrightablefeaturesofthedatabase,theregistrationspecialistmayannotatetheapplicationtoindicatethattheregistrationdoesnotextendtotheuncopyrightablefeatures.Iftheapplicantassertsaclaimtocopyrightinanystoragemediumoranyfeatureofthedatabasethatisuncopyrightable,thespecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicantormayrefuseregistrationiftheclaimappearstobebasedsolelyonthosefeatures.Examplesofunacceptabletermsincludethefollowingoranycombinationofthefollowing:
• Databasedesign.
• Databaseinterface.
• Databasestructure.
• Datasystem.
ForadditionalguidanceincompletingtheNatureofAuthorshipspace,seeChapter600,Section618.4(B).
1117.7(C) Space 3(a): Year in which Creation of This Work Was Completed
AsdiscussedinSection1117.3,theupdatesorrevisionsmustbecompletedwithinathree-monthperiodwithinasinglecalendaryear.
Inspace3(a)theapplicantshouldprovidetheyearthattheauthorcompletedtheupdatesorrevisionsthatareincludedinthegroup.Iftheupdatesorrevisionswerecompletedoverathree-monthperiodthatfallswithintwocalendaryears(e.g.,December1,2010throughFebruary28,2011),theapplicantshouldprovidetheyearofcompletionforthemostrecentupdateorrevisioninthegroup.
Asageneralrule,theapplicantshouldonlyprovideayearofcompletionforthespecificupdatesorrevisionsthatwillbesubmittedforregistration.Theapplicantshouldnotprovideayearofcompletionforthefirstversionofthedatabaseoranyupdatesorrevisionsthatarenotincludedinthegroup.
Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section611.
1117.7(D) Space 3(b): Date and Nation of First Publication of This Particular Work
Iftheupdatesorrevisionshavebeenpublished,theapplicantshouldprovidethelastdate(month,day,andyear)thatupdatesorrevisionswerepublishedduringthetimeperiodspecifiedinthePublicationasaContributionspace.Iftheupdatesorrevisionshavenotbeenpublished,thisportionoftheapplicationshouldbeleftblank.
Forageneraldiscussionofpublicationissues,seeChapter600,Section612.
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
Chapter1100:92 09/29/2017
1117.7(E) Space 4: Copyright Claimant(s)
AsdiscussedinSection1117.3,thecopyrightintheupdatesandrevisionsmustbeownedbythesameclaimant.Theapplicantshouldprovidetheclaimant’sfullnameandaddressinspace4oftheapplication.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section619.
Iftheauthor(s)andtheclaimantnamedintheapplicationarenotthesameperson,theapplicantshouldprovideabrieftransferstatementthatexplainshowtheclaimantobtainedthecopyrightintheupdatesorrevisionsinthegroup.Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedinspace4undertheheadingmarkedTransfer.Forguidanceoncompletingthisportionoftheapplication,seeChapter600,Section620.9.
1117.7(F) Spaces 5 & 6: Previous Registration / Derivative Work or Compilation
IftheupdatesorrevisionscontainanappreciableamountofmaterialthathasbeenpreviouslyregisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,theapplicantshouldexcludethatmaterialfromtheclaimusingtheproceduresdescribedinChapter600,Section621.8(F).Iftheupdatesorrevisionscontainanappreciableamountofmaterialthathasbeenpreviouslypublished,materialthatisnotownedbythecopyrightclaimant,ormaterialthatisinthepublicdomain,theapplicantshouldexcludethatmaterialfromtheclaimusingtheproceduresdescribedinChapter600,Sections621.8(A)through621.8(C).
Iftheupdatesorrevisionsdonotcontainpreviouslyregisteredmaterial,previouslypublishedmaterial,publicdomainmaterial,ormaterialownedbyathirdparty,thisportionoftheapplicationmaybeleftblank.
1117.7(G) Space 8: Certification
Theapplicantshouldcertifyanddatetheapplicationonspace8undertheheadingmarked“Handwrittensignature.”Thefirstandlastnameofthepersonwhocertifiedtheapplicationshouldbetypedorprintedonthespacemarked“Typedorprintednameanddate.”Inaddition,theapplicantshouldcheckoneoftheboxesindicatingwhetherheorsheisanauthorofthework,thecopyrightclaimant,anownerofoneormoreoftheexclusiverightsintheworks,oradulyauthorizedagentofoneoftheforegoingpersons.37C.F.R.§202.3(c)(2)(i).
TheapplicationshouldbecertifiedandsubmittedtotheU.S.CopyrightOfficeonorafterthelastdatespecifiedinspace1oftheapplicationundertheheadingmarkedTitleofThisWork.IftheapplicationiscertifiedorsubmittedbeforethelastdatespecifiedintheTitleofThisWorkspace,theregistrationspecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicant.
ForadditionalguidanceincompletingtheCertificationspace,seeChapter600,Section624.
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
Chapter1100:93 09/29/2017
1117.7(H) Spaces 7 & 9: Correspondent and Mailing Address for the Certificate
ForguidanceincompletingtheCorrespondentspace,seeChapter600,Section622.2.Forguidanceinprovidingthemailingaddressforthecertificate,seeChapter600,Section622.4.
1117.8 Effective Date of Registration for a Group of Revisions or Updates to a Database
AsdiscussedinSection1117.3,alltheupdatesorrevisionsinthegroupmustbecreatedorpublishedwithinathreemonthperiodwithinthesamecalendaryear.AsdiscussedinSection1117.7,theapplicationmaybesubmittedonthelastdayofthisperiodoranytimethereafter.
TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillassignaneffectivedateofregistrationbasedonthedatethattheOfficereceivedtheapplication,filingfee,andthedepositmaterial,whicharelaterdeterminedbytheRegisterofCopyrightsorbyacourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeacceptableforregistration.17U.S.C.§410(d).
Example:
• Farmers&MechanicsBanksubmittedanapplicationtoregistertheupdatesandrevisionsthatweremadetoitsdatabasebetweenJanuary1,2010andMarch31,2010.TheOfficereceivedtheapplicationandthefilingfeeonMay1,2010,alongwithaprintoutcontainingfiftyrecordsfromthedatabase.OnMay2,2010,theOfficereceivedthedescriptivestatementforthisclaim.TheOfficewillissueagroupregistrationwithaneffectivedateofregistrationofMay1,2010.
Forageneraldiscussionofeffectivedateofregistration,seeChapter600,Section625.
1117.9 Databases That Do Not Satisfy the Group Registration Requirements
Iftheapplicantisunabletousethisgroupregistrationoption,itmaybepossibletoregisterthedatabaseasitexistedonaparticulardate.Aregistrationforaspecificversionofadatabasedoesnotcoveranysubsequentupdatesorrevisionsthatmaybemadetothedatabase(regardlessofwhetherthedatabaseispublishedorunpublished).Forinformationonthepracticesandproceduresforobtainingaregistrationforaspecificversionofasingle-fileormulti-filedatabase,seeChapter700,Section727.
1118 Serials, Daily Newspapers, and Daily Newsletters at a Glance
ThisSectionprovidesanoverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthegroupregistrationoptionsforserials,dailynewspapers,anddailynewsletters.
Forinformationconcerningthespecificrequirementsforthesegroupregistrationoptions,seeSections1109(serials),1110(dailynewspapers),and1111(dailynewsletters).
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
Chapter1100:94 09/29/2017
Group Registration Requirements
Serials Daily Newspapers Daily Newsletters
Typeofwork Eachissuemustbeaserial,asdefinedinSection1109.1
Eachissuemustbeanewspaper,asdefinedinSection1110.1
Eachissuemustbeanewsletter,asdefinedinSection1111.1
Aretheissuesnew? Eachissuemustbeall-newcollectiveworkthathasbeenpublishedforthefirsttime
Eachissuemustbeall-newcollectiveworkthathasbeenpublishedforthefirsttime
Eachissuemustbeall-newcollectiveworkthathasbeenpublishedforthefirsttime
Publication Eachissuemustbepublished
Eachissuemustbepublished
Eachissuemustbepublished
Frequencyofpublication
Theserialmustbepublishedatintervalsofaweekorlonger
Thenewspapermustbepublishedatleasttwotimesaweek
Thenewslettermustbepublishedatleasttwotimesaweek
Numberofissuesinthegroup
Thegroupmustincludeatleasttwoissues
Thegroupmustincludealltheissuespublishedwithinthecalendarmonthspecifiedintheapplication
Thegroupmustincludealltheissuespublishedwithinthecalendarmonthspecifiedintheapplication
Numberofmonthscoveredbythegroup
Thegroupmayincludeuptothreemonthsofissues
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendarmonth
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendarmonth
Publicationwithinthesamecalendaryear
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear
Publicationwithinoneyearaftercreation
Eachissuemustbecreatednomorethanoneyearpriortopublication
n/a n/a
Title Alltheissuesmustbepublishedunderthesametitle
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedunderthesametitle
Alltheissuesmustbepublishedunderthesametitle
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
Chapter1100:95 09/29/2017
Group Registration Requirements
Serials Daily Newspapers Daily Newsletters
Author Theauthorforalltheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization
Theauthorforalltheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization
Theauthorforalltheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization
Claimant Theclaimantforalltheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization
Theclaimantforalltheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization
Theclaimantforalltheissuesmustbethesamepersonororganization
Workmadeforhire Eachissuemustbeaworkmadeforhire
Eachissuemustbeaworkmadeforhire
Eachissuemustbeaworkmadeforhire
Claimtocopyright Theclaimtocopyrightmustbelimitedtotheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingtheserialasawhole
Theclaimtocopyrightmayincludetheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthenewspaperasawholeand/ortheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthecontributionstothenewspaper
Theclaimtocopyrightmayincludetheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthenewsletterasawholeand/ortheauthorshipinvolvedincreatingthecontributionstothenewsletter
Applicationrequirements
TheapplicantmayusetheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE/Group
TheapplicantmustsubmitapaperapplicationusingFormG/DN
TheapplicantmustsubmitapaperapplicationusingFormG/DN
Examinationcopies Theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofeachissueinthegroup
Theapplicantmaysubmitonecompletecopyofeachissueinthegroup,orcopiesofthefirstandlastissues,orcopiesofthefirstsectionfromthefirstandlastissues,orcopiesofthefirstpagefromthefirstandlastissues
Theapplicantmustsubmitonecompletecopyofeachissueinthegroup
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
Chapter1100:96 09/29/2017
Group Registration Requirements
Serials Daily Newspapers Daily Newsletters
Complimentarysubscriptions
TheapplicantmayberequiredtoprovidecomplimentarysubscriptionstotheLibraryofCongress
n/a TheapplicantmayberequiredtoprovidecomplimentarysubscriptionstotheLibraryofCongress
Microfilm n/a TheapplicantmayberequiredtoprovidemicrofilmtotheLibraryofCongress
TheapplicantmayberequiredtoprovidemicrofilmtotheLibraryofCongress
Filingdeadline n/a Theapplicationmustbesubmittedwithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissueinthegroup
Theapplicationmustbesubmittedwithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissueinthegroup
1119 Photographs at a Glance
ThisSectionprovidesanoverviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheoptionforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographs,theoptionforregisteringagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals,andtheoptionforregisteringanumberofunpublishedworks.
Forinformationconcerningthespecificrequirementsforthegroupregistrationoptionsforpublishedphotographsandcontributionstoperiodicals,seeSections1115and1116.Forinformationconcerningthespecificrequirementsfortheoptionforunpublishedworks,seeSection1106.
Registration Requirements
Group Registration of Published Photographs
Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals
Unpublished Collections
Typeofwork Eachworkmustbeaphotograph
Theapplicationmayincludeliteraryworksorvisualartworks,suchasphotographsanytypeofwork
Theapplicationmayincludeanytypeofwork
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
Chapter1100:97 09/29/2017
Registration Requirements
Group Registration of Published Photographs
Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals
Unpublished Collections
Applicationrequirements
TheapplicantmayusetheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormVA
TheapplicantmustsubmitanonlineapaperapplicationusingFormTX,VA,orPAtogetherwithFormGR/CP
Theapplicantmayusetheonlineapplicationorapaperapplication
Numberofphotographsintheapplication
IftheapplicantsubmitsFormGR/PPh/CON,theapplicantmayincludeupto750photographsinthegroup.Iftheapplicantdoesnotusethisform,thereisnolimitonthenumberofphotographsthatmaybeincluded.
Nolimitonthenumberofworksthatmaybeincludedintheapplication
Nolimitonthenumberofworksthatmaybeincludedintheapplication
Author Allthephotographsmustbetakenbythesamephotographer
Alltheworksmustbecreatedbythesameauthor
Alltheelementsinthecollectionmustbecreatedbythesameauthor,oriftheelementswerecreatedbymultipleauthors,oneauthormustcontributecopyrightableauthorshiptoeachelement
Claimant Theclaimantforallthephotographsmustbethesamepersonororganization
Theclaimantforalltheworksmustbethesamepersonororganization
Theclaimantforalltheelementsinthecollectionmustbethesamepersonororganization
Workmadeforhire
Thephotographsmaybecreatedasaworkmadeforhire
Theworkscannotbecreatedasaworkmadeforhire
Theworksmaybecreatedasaworkmadeforhire
Publication Allthephotographsmustbepublished
Alltheworksmustbepublished
Alltheworksmustbeunpublished
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
Chapter1100:98 09/29/2017
Registration Requirements
Group Registration of Published Photographs
Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals
Unpublished Collections
Publicationwithinatwelve-monthperiod
Allthephotographsmustbepublishedwithinthesamecalendaryear(e.g.,JanuarythroughDecember2011;FebruarythroughJune2012;SeptemberthroughOctober2013,etc.)
Alltheworksmustbepublishedwithinatwelve-monthperiod(e.g.,January1,2010throughDecember31,2010;February1,2011throughJanuary31,2012;September15,2013throughSeptember14,2014,etc.)
n/a
Mediumofpublication
Thephotographsmaybefirstpublishedinanymedium
Alltheworksmustbefirstpublishedasacontributiontoaperiodical
n/a
Copyrightnotice
IfthephotographswerepublishedbeforeMarch1,1989,eachphotographmustbearanappropriatecopyrightnotice
IftheworkswerepublishedbeforeMarch1,1989,eachworkmustbearanappropriatecopyrightnotice
n/a
This redline compares the Compendium (Third) released December 22, 2014, and the Compendium (Third) released September 29, 2017.