COMPENDIUM Chapter 1100 Registration for Multiple Works · Chapter 1100 : 8 09/29/2017 COMPENDIUM: Chapter 1100 Registration for Multiple Works 1101 What This Chapter Covers As a

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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


1106.3 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

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1107.1 WhatIsaUnitofPublication?.......................................................................................................................................23



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


1109.3 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



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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





1110.5(A) NewspapersSubjecttotheMicrofilmDepositRequirement..........................................................................46

1110.5(B) NewspapersThatAreNotSubjecttotheMicrofilmDepositRequirement...............................................47

1110.6 TheTimelinessRequirement........................................................................................................................................48

1111 GroupRegistrationofDailyNewsletters..................................................................................................................48

1111.1 WhatIsaDailyNewsletter?...........................................................................................................................................49





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



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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






1115.7 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




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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





1117.6(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



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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



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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



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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,



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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.



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• 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.



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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



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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



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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).


InadditiontosatisfyingtheeligibilitycriteriadiscussedinSection1106.1,theapplicantmustsubmitacompletedapplication,adepositconsistingofalloftheworksinthe



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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.



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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).



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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



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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.



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• 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.



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• Worksfirstpublishedasseparateanddiscreteworksthatweresubsequentlydistributedtogetherinthesameunit.

• Worksthatareinitiallyofferedtothegeneralpublicbothindividuallyandasaset.

• Workscreatedaspartofthesamecollection,series,orsetthathavenotbeendistributedtogetherasasingle,integratedunit.

• Worksthatsharethesamecharacters,thesametheme,orothersimilaritiesthathavenotbeendistributedtogetherasasingle,integratedunit.

• Worksofferedtothepublicasaunit,butneverdistributedtothepublic.

• Multiplephotographstakenatthesamephotoshoot.

• Acatalogwithphotographsofcopyrightableworksofferedforsale,eitherindividuallyorasaunit.


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.



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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.


Toregisteranumberofworkswiththeunitofpublicationoption,theapplicantmustsubmitacompletedapplication,anappropriatedeposit,andthecorrectfilingfee.



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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



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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.



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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.



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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.



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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”



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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.



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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



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hasquestionsorconcernsregardingtheapplication.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationontheCorrespondentscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,theapplicantshouldprovidethisinformationinspace7(b)undertheheading“Persontocontactforcorrespondenceaboutthisclaim.”TheOfficewillsendallcommunicationsconcerningtheapplicationtothispersonattheaddressprovidedintheregistrationrecord.

Inaddition,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameandaddresswherethecertificateofregistrationshouldbesent.Whencompletinganonlineapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedontheMailAddressscreen.Whencompletingapaperapplication,thisinformationshouldbeprovidedinspace9oftheapplicationundertheheading“Certificatewillbemailedinwindowenvelopetothisaddress.”


1107.4(L) Special Handling



1107.4(M) Certification

Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbyoneoftheauthor(s)namedintheapplication,bythecopyrightclaimantnamedintheapplication,byapartythatownsoneormoreoftheexclusiverightsintheworks,orbyadulyauthorizedagentofoneoftheforegoingparties.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.


ForguidanceincompletingtheCertificationfield/space,seeChapter600,Section624.

1108 Warnings

Worksregisteredundertheunitofpublicationoptionortheunpublishedcollectionoptionmaycontaincopyrightableanduncopyrightablematerial.Asageneralrule,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillissuearegistrationifsomeoftheworkssetforthinthedepositcopy(ies)containasufficientamountoforiginalauthorship.

Iftheregistrationspecialistdeterminesthatthedepositcopy(ies)containmaterialthatiscopyrightableandmaterialthatisclearlyuncopyrightable,heorshemayregistertheclaimwithoutcommunicatingwiththeapplicant.However,thespecialistmaysendthe



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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).


AgroupofserialsmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

• EachissueinthegroupmustbeaserialasdefinedinSection1109.1.



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• 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



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• 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).




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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



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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.



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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



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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



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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.”



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1109.7(I) Special Handling



1109.7(J) Certification

Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbytheauthor/claimantnamedintheapplicationoradulyauthorizedagentoftheauthor/claimant.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.


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



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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.



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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.


AgroupofdailynewspapersmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,providedthatthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

• EachissueinthegroupmustbeadailynewspaperasdefinedinSection1110.1.

• Eachissuemustbearthesametitle.

• Alloftheissuesmustbearissuedateswithinthesamecalendarmonthandthesamecalendaryear,andthegroupmustcontainalloftheissuespublishedwithinthatmonth.



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• TheU.S.CopyrightOfficemustreceiveacompletedapplication,thecorrectfilingfee,andthecorrectdepositcopieswithinthreemonthsafterthedateofpublicationforthelastissuethatisincludedinthegroup.

See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i).

Newspapersthatdonotsatisfytheserequirementscannotberegisteredusingthisgroupregistrationoption.

Iftheapplicantisunabletoregisteraparticularissueusingthegroupregistrationoptionfordailynewspapers,theapplicantmaysubmitaseparateapplicationforthatissueusingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormSE.Forinformationconcerningtheproceduresforregisteringasingleissueofaserialpublication,seeChapter700,Section712.


Currently,anapplicationtoregisteragroupofdailynewslettersmustbesubmittedonFormG/DN.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(7)(i)(B).ForguidanceoncompletingFormG/DN,seeSection1112.


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.


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.



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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.



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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).



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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).


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.



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Currently,anapplicationtoregisteragroupofdailynewslettersmustbesubmittedonFormG/DN.37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(viii).ForguidanceoncompletingFormG/DN,seeSection1112.


Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(9)(viii).ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“FormG⁄DN(dailynewspapersandqualifiednewsletters)”(www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).



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..



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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.



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• 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



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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).



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Iftheapplicantfailstoprovidethemonth,day,andyearofpublicationorifthepublicationdatesspecifiedintheapplicationdonotmatchthepublicationdatesorissuedates(ifany)thatappearonthedepositcopies,amemberoftheOffice’sstaffmaycommunicatewiththeapplicant.


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



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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).



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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.



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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).


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).


ToregisteragroupofcontributionstoperiodicalstheapplicantmustcompleteandsubmitFormGR/CPalongwithFormTX,FormVA,orFormPA.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(8)(ii)theonlineapplicationdesignatedforthisgroupoption.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillnotacceptclaims.



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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.



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).



ThisSectiondiscussesthedepositrequirementsforregisteringagroupofcontributionstoperiodicals.



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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).



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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).



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afterMarch1,1989,and(ii)thatthecontentofeachprintoutissubstantiallyidenticaltothecontentthatappearedintheoriginalpublication.Forageneraldiscussionofspecialrelief,seeChapter1500,Section1508.8.


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



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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.



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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.



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• 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.



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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.



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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.



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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



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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





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1115.7(I) Certification

Theapplicationmustbecertifiedbytheauthororclaimantnamedintheapplication,bytheownerofoneormoreoftheexclusiverightsinthecontributions,orbyadulyauthorizedagentoftheauthor,claimant,orownerofexclusiverights.Nootherpersonorentityisentitledtocertifyanapplication.


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



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overviewofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheoptionsforregisteringagroupofpublishedphotographs,agroupofcontributionstoperiodicals,oragroupofunpublishedphotographs,seeSection1119.

SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,66Fed.Reg.37,142(July17,2001).


• 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



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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.



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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).


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).



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SeegenerallyRegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPublishedPhotographs,70Fed.Reg.15,587(Mar.28,2005);RegistrationofClaimstoCopyright,GroupRegistrationofPhotographs,66Fed.Reg.37,142(July17,2001).


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



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.



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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).


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).



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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.



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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.



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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).



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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.



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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



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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



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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.



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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.


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,



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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.


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).


Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeeforthisgroupregistrationoption.See37C.F.R.§202.3(b)(5)(ii)(B).

ThecurrentfeeforregisteringagroupofupdatesorrevisionstoadatabaseusingapaperapplicationissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“Groupautomateddatabaseupdates(paperapplicationonly)”.

ThecurrentfeeforregisteringadatabasethatpredominantlyconsistsofphotographsusinganonlineapplicationissetforthintheOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“Onlineregistrationofgroupsofpublishedphotographs(pilotprogram,seesl-39).”



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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



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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).



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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



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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.



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- 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



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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.



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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.



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• 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.




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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.



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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).



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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



Publicationwithinoneyearaftercreation

Eachissuemustbecreatednomorethanoneyearpriortopublication

n/a n/a

Title Alltheissuesmustbepublishedunderthesametitle

Alltheissuesmustbepublishedunderthesametitle

Alltheissuesmustbepublishedunderthesametitle



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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



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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



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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



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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


Documents

COMPENDIUM Chapter 1100 Registration for Multiple Works · Chapter 1100 : 8 09/29/2017 COMPENDIUM: Chapter 1100 Registration for Multiple Works 1101 What This Chapter Covers As a