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Chapter2000:5 01/28/2021
C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter2000
ForeignWorks:EligibilityandGATTRegistration
2001 What This Chapter Covers
ThisChapterexplainswhenauthorsofforeignworksmayapplytoregistertheirworkswiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice.ThisChapterappliestounpublishedworksregardlessofwhentheywerecreated,andtopublishedpublishedworksthatwerefirstpublishedonorafterJanuary1,1978.
ThisChapteralsodiscussesFormGATT,whichmaybeusedtoregisterarestoredworkthatiseligibleforcopyrightprotectionundertheUruguayRoundAgreementsAct.Restoredworkscompriseasmallsubsetofforeignworks,andapplicantsmustuseFormGATTtoregisterthesetypesofworkswiththeOffice.
• Forageneraloverviewoftheregistrationprocess,seeChapter200.
• Foradiscussionofcopyrightablesubjectmatter,seeChapter300.
• Forguidanceindeterminingwhomayfiletheapplicationandwhomaybenamedasthecopyrightclaimant,seeChapter400.
• Forguidanceinidentifyingtheworkthatwillbesubmittedforregistration,seeChapter500.
• Forinstructionsoncompletingtheonlineapplicationorapaperapplication(otherthananapplicationsubmittedonFormGATT),seeChapter600.
• Forguidanceonthefilingfee,seeChapter1400.
• Forguidanceonsubmittingthedepositcopy(ies),seeChapter1500.
• Forguidanceonpublication,seeChapter1900.
2002 Foreign Works
2002.1 What Is a Foreign Work?
Forpurposesofcopyrightregistration,theterm“foreignworks”generallyreferstoworkscreatedbyauthor(s)whoarenotU.S.citizensorU.S.nationalsand/orworksthatwerefirstpublishedabroad.publishedabroad.Generally,theauthoristhepersonorpersonswhoactuallycreatedthematerialthattheapplicantintendstoregister.Thereisanexceptiontothisruleiftheworkisaworkmadeforhire.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofworksmadeforhire,seeChapter500,Section506.
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U.S.citizensarepeoplewhoarecitizensinaccordancewiththeU.S.Constitutionorfederalstatutes,including(i)peopleborninGuam,theU.S.VirginIslands,andPuertoRico;and(ii)certainpeoplewhoarebyfederalstatutenationals,butnotcitizensoftheUnitedStates,includingpeoplebornintheoutlyingpossessionsoftheUnitedStates.AllU.S.citizensarealsoU.S.nationals.WorksbyU.S.citizensandnationalsarenotconsideredforeignworks,andgenerallytheyareeligibleforU.S.copyrightprotection.
ThetypesofworksthatmaybeprotectedundertheCopyrightActincludeliteraryworks;musicalworks,includinganyaccompanyingwords;dramaticworks,includinganyaccompanyingmusic;pantomimesandchoreographicworks;pictorial,graphic,andsculpturalworks;motionpicturesandotheraudiovisualworks;soundrecordings;andarchitecturalworks;aswellasderivativeworks,compilations,andcollectiveworks.Foradefinitionanddiscussionofthesetypesofworks,seeChapter500,Sections507(DerivativeWorks),508(Compilations),and509(CollectiveWorks),andChapters700(LiteraryWorks),800(WorksofthePerformingArts),and900(VisualArtWorks).
2002.2 Treatment of Foreign Works
Inthevastmajorityofcases,aforeignworkmayberegisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficeifitsatisfiestheeligibilityrequirementsdiscussedinSection2003.However,thisdoesnotmeanthatforeignworksaretreatedexactlythesameasdomesticworks.U.S.lawapplieswheneveraUnitedStatesworkoraforeignworkisinvolvedinacopyrightinfringementlawsuitinthiscountry.BeforethecopyrightownercanfilealawsuitinvolvinganinfringementofaU.S.work,theworkmustberegisteredwiththeOfficeortheOfficemustissuearefusaltoregisterthatwork.Inaddition,U.S.worksmustberegisteredinatimelymannertoseekstatutorydamagesandattorney’sfees.Bycontrast,foreignworksdonotneedtoberegistered(orrefusedregistration)inordertofileaninfringementlawsuitintheUnitedStates,thoughtheymustberegisteredinatimelymannertoseekstatutorydamagesandattorney’sfees.
2003 Eligibility Requirements: How to Determine if a Foreign Work Is Eligible for Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office
Section104oftheCopyrightActsetsforththecategoriesofforeignworksthatareeligibleforcopyrightprotectionunderU.S.law.ThisSectiondescribeseachofthesecategories.
2003.1 Unpublished Works
AllunpublishedforeignworksareeligibleforregistrationwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice.17U.S.C.§104(a).Foradetailedexplanationofwhenaworkisconsideredpublished,published,seeChapter1900.
2003.2 Published Works
WorksfirstpublishedinaforeigncountryareeligibleforregistrationwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficeiftheysatisfyoneormoreoftheconditionsdescribedinSections2003.2(A)through2003.2(F).
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2003.2(A) Eligibility Based on Nationality or Domicile
Section104(b)(1)oftheCopyrightActprotectsforeignworksif,uponthework’sfirstpublication,oneormoreauthor(s)ofthework(i)isanationalordomiciliaryoftheUnitedStates;(ii)isanational,domiciliary,orsovereignauthorityofatreatyparty;or(iii)isastatelesspersonwhereverthatpersonisdomiciled.
A“sovereignauthority”isagovernmentalagencyorsubdivisionofaforeignnation,suchasaministryofthegovernmentofNorwayoraprovinceofCanada.A“statelessperson”isapersonwhohasnonationality,eitherastheresultofneverhavingacquirednationalityinanynation,orastheresultofhavingeffectivelyrenouncedorhavingbeendeprivedofhisorherformernationalitywithouthaving,asyet,becomeanationalofanothernation.
Chapter1900generallydiscussestheconceptofwhenaworkispublished.published.Theconceptof“firstpublication”isfurtherdefinedinSection104(b)oftheCopyrightAct,whichexplainsthat“aworkthatispublishedintheUnitedStatesoratreatypartywithinthirtydaysafterpublicationinaforeignnationthatisnotatreatypartyshallbeconsideredtobefirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesorsuchtreatyparty,asthecasemaybe.”
Thismeansthataforeignworkmaybeeligibleforcopyrightprotectioninawidevarietyofcases.AsidefromU.S.nationalsanddomiciliaries,authorswhoarenationalsordomiciliariesofanytreatypartyatthetimeoffirstpublicationcanobtainU.S.protectionforaforeignwork.AsdiscussedinSection2004,theUnitedStateshasenteredintotreatyrelationswithallbutahandfulofcountries,meaningthatthemajorityofforeignworkswillbeeligibleforprotectionunderSection104(b)oftheCopyrightAct.
2003.2(B) Eligibility Based on Location of First Publication
Section104(b)(2)oftheCopyrightActaffordsprotectiontoallworksthatarefirstpublishedpublishedin(i)theUnitedStates,or(ii)aforeignnationthat,onthedateofthefirstpublication,publication,isatreatyparty.Inotherwords,regardlessofthenationalityordomicileoftheauthor(s),aworkmaybeeligibleforprotectionundertheCopyrightActifitisfirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesorinanynationthathasarelevanttreatywiththeUnitedStatesatthetimeofthefirstpublication.Formoreinformationonwhichcountriesaretreatypartners,seeSection2004.
NOTE:Thereisanexceptiontothisrule.AworkthatwasfirstpublishedinaforeignnationthathasnotenteredintoatreatywiththeUnitedStatesmaybeeligibleforprotectioninthiscountryiftheworkwaspublishedwithinthirtydaysthereafterintheUnitedStatesorinaforeignnationthatisatreatyparty.ThisexceptionwasaddedtotheCopyrightActeffectiveOctober28,1998,anditappliestoanyworkthatwasfirstpublishedonorafterSeptember28,1998.SeeDigitalMillenniumCopyrightAct,Section102,112Stat.2860,2862(1998)(codifiedat17U.S.C.§104(b)).
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2003.2(C) Eligibility for Sound Recordings
Section104(b)(3)oftheCopyrightActprotectssoundrecordingsthatwerefirst“fixed”inaforeigncountrythatisatreatyparty.Specifically,thelawprotectssoundrecordingsthatareembodiedinphonorecordsthataresufficientlypermanentorstabletopermittheworktobeperceived,reproduced,orotherwisecommunicatedforaperiodofmorethantransitoryduration.17U.S.C.§101(definitionof“fixed”).Formoreinformationonfixation,seeChapter300,Section305andChapter800,Section803.4.
2003.2(D) Eligibility Based on Incorporation into Buildings or Other Structures
Section104(b)(4)oftheCopyrightActprotectspictorial,graphic,orsculpturalworksthatareincorporatedintoabuildingorotherstructure,andarchitecturalworksthatareembodiedinabuilding.TheCopyrightAct,however,onlyprotectspictorial,graphic,sculptural,andarchitecturalworksifthebuildingorstructureinwhichtheyareincorporatedorembodiedislocatedintheUnitedStatesoratreatyparty.
2003.2(E) Eligibility of Works Published by the United Nations or the Organization of American States
Section104(b)(5)oftheCopyrightActstatesthatworksfirstpublishedpublishedbytheUnitedNations(oranyofitsspecializedagencies)orbytheOrganizationofAmericanStatesareeligibleforprotectionundertheCopyrightAct.Thisprovisionisbasedonfirstpublicationpublicationbytheseorganizations,regardlessofthelocationofthepublication.
2003.2(F) Eligibility Based on Presidential Proclamations
Section104(b)(6)oftheCopyrightActprotectsworksthatcomewithinthescopeofPresidentialproclamations.Thismeansthat,inadditiontothecategorieslistedinSections2003.2(A)through2003.2(E),aworkmaybeeligibleforprotectionintheUnitedStatesifthePresidentfindsthataparticularforeignnationextendscopyrightprotectiontoworksbynationalsordomiciliariesoftheUnitedStatesorworksthatarefirstpublishedpublishedintheUnitedStates“onsubstantiallythesamebasisasthatonwhichtheforeignnationextendsprotectiontoworksofitsownnationalsanddomiciliariesandworksfirstpublishedinthatnation.”17U.S.C.§104(b)(6).Insuchcases,thePresidentmayissueaproclamationthatextendscopyrightprotection“toworksofwhichoneormoreoftheauthorsis,onthedateoffirstpublication,anational,domiciliary,orsovereignauthorityofthat[foreign]nation,orwhichwasfirstpublishedinthatnation.”Id.ThePresidentmayrevise,suspend,orrevokeanysuchproclamationorimposeanyconditionsorlimitationsonprotectionunderaproclamation.
2004 Treaties and Presidential Proclamations
U.S.protectionofforeignworksoftenisbasedontheUnitedStates’treatyrelationshipswithothercountries.TheUnitedStateshastreatyrelationshipswithallbutahandfulofcountries,assetforthinInternationalCopyrightRelationsoftheUnitedStates(Circular38a).InternationalCopyrightRelationsoftheUnitedStates(Circular38a).Someofthesetreatiesaremultilateral,meaningthattherearemorethantwopartiestothetreaty,whileothertreatiesarebilateral,meaningthattheyarebetweenjusttheUnitedStates
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andoneforeigncountry.Itisimportanttonotethedateonwhichaforeigncountrybecameatreatyparty,becauseU.S.lawwillapplyonlytoworkseithercreatedorfirstpublishedpublished(dependingonwhichtypeofeligibilityisused)onorafterthedatethattheforeigncountrybecameatreatyparty.Additionally,foratreatytoconfereligibility,itmustapplytotheworkatissue.Forexample,anauthorofaliteraryworkcouldnotrelyontheexistenceofacopyrighttreatythatprotectsonlysatellitebroadcastsbutnotliteraryworks.
2004.1 Multilateral Treaties
TheUnitedStatesisapartytoanumberofmultilateralcopyrighttreaties,includingthefollowing:
• BuenosAiresConventionof1910:ThiswasanearlytreatythatprovidedcertaincopyrightprotectionsforartisticandliteraryworksandwasdepositedwiththegovernmentofArgentinaonMay1,1911,andproclaimedbyPresidentWoodrowWilsononJuly13,1914.
• BerneConventionfortheProtectionofLiteraryandArtisticWorks(“BerneConvention”):Thistreatyprovidesprotectionforcertainliteraryandartisticworksandhasbeensignedbymostcountries.TheeffectivedateforU.S.adherencetotheBerneConventionisMarch1,1989.
• ConventionfortheProtectionofProducersofPhonogramsAgainstUnauthorizedDuplicationofTheirPhonograms,Geneva,1971:TheeffectivedatefortheUnitedStatesisMarch10,1974.NotethatonlysoundrecordingsareeligibleforU.S.copyrightprotectionbasedonthistreaty.17U.S.C.§104(d).
• UniversalCopyrightConvention,Geneva,1952:Thistreatyprotectedcertainliterary,artistic,andscientificworks.TheeffectivedatefortheUnitedStatesisSeptember16,1955,thedatethetreatyenteredintoforce.Thistreatywasrevised,andtheUnitedStatesisapartytotheversionasrevisedatParisin1971asofJuly10,1974.
• WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganization(“WIPO”)CopyrightTreaty(“WCT”):TheWCTisaspecialagreementundertheBerneConventionthatprotectsBerneConvention-coveredworksandincludesspecificlanguageprotectingcomputerprogramsandcompilationsofdataorothermaterial.TheeffectivedatefortheUnitedStatesisMarch6,2002,thedatethetreatyenteredintoforce.
• WIPOPerformancesandPhonogramsTreaty,Geneva,1996(“WPPT”):TheWPPTcoverscertainrightsforperformersandproducersofphonograms.TheeffectivedatefortheUnitedStatesisMay20,2002,thedatethetreatyenteredintoforce.NotethatonlysoundrecordingsareeligibleforU.S.copyrightprotectionbasedonthistreaty.17U.S.C.§104(d).
• TheAgreementonTrade-RelatedAspectsofIntellectualPropertyRights(“TRIPS”)wasenteredintoaspartoftheWorldTradeOrganization(“WTO”),establishedpursuanttotheMarrakeshAgreementofApril15,1994,whichimplementedthe
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UruguayRoundAgreements.TRIPSincorporatedtheBerneConventioninmostpart,coveredcopyrightandotherintellectualpropertyrights,andincludedprovisionsrelatingtoenforcementofintellectualpropertyrights.TheeffectivedateofUnitedStatesmembershipintheWTOisJanuary1,1995.
• TheMarrakeshTreatytoFacilitateAccesstoPublishedWorksforPersonsWhoAreBlind,VisuallyImpairedorOtherwisePrintDisabled(“MarrakeshVIPTreaty”)providesanobligationformembernationstoprovidecopyrightlimitationsandexceptionsinordertopermitreproduction,distributionandmakingavailableofpublishedworksinformatsdesignedtobeaccessibletovisuallyimpairedpeople,andtopermitexchangeoftheseworksacrossbordersbyeligibleorganizationsthatservethosebeneficiaries.TheprovisionsofthistreatywereimplementedintoU.S.lawwiththeMarrakeshTreatyImplementationActonOctober10,2018.U.S.membershipinthetreatycameintoforceonMay8,2019.FormoreinformationontheMarrakeshTreatyimplementationinU.S.law,seetheCopyrightOffice’sUnderstandingtheMarrakeshTreatyImplementationAct.
Forinformationconcerningtheothercountriesthatarepartiestothesetreatiesandthedateuponwhichacountrybecameatreatyparty,seeInternationalCopyrightRelationsoftheUnitedStates(Circular38a).
2004.2 Bilateral Copyright Treaties and Presidential Proclamations
TheUnitedStateshasenteredintobilateraltreatieswithsomeforeigncountries.Thesetreatiesoftenareinadditiontomultilateraltreatiesandtrytoprovideafurtherlayerofprotection.ForalistofspecificU.S.bilateraltreaties,seeInternationalCopyrightRelationsoftheUnitedStates(Circular38a).InternationalCopyrightRelationsoftheUnitedStates(Circular38a).
Additionally,therehavebeennumerousPresidentialproclamationsthroughouttheyearsspecifyingcountriestowhichtheUnitedStateshasextendedcopyrightlawprotection.PresidentialproclamationswereespeciallycommonpriortotheUnitedStates’sadherencetotheBerneConvention,whichallowedtheUnitedStatestoprovideprotectiontoforeignworksmoreeasily.Theseproclamationsareincludedaspartofthe“bilateral”agreementslistedinCircular38(a).
2005 Registration Issues
ThisSectiondiscussesfrequentregistrationissuesthatariseinconnectionwithforeignworks.
2005.1 Multiple Authors of a Foreign Work
Iftheforeignworkwascreatedbymultipleauthorsandifeligibilityisbasedonthedomicileornationalityofthoseauthors,theworkwillbeeligibleforregistrationaslongasanyoneoftheauthors’nationalitiesordomicilesissufficient.Forexample,iftheworkwascreatedbythreeauthors,twoofwhomarefromIran(acountrythathasnocopyrighttreatieswiththeUnitedStates)andoneofwhomisfromFrance(acountrythatdoeshavecopyrightrelationswiththeUnitedStates),theworkwouldbeeligibleforregistration.
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2005.2 Authors with Multiple Nationalities
Ifawork’seligibilityisbasedontheauthor’snationalityandtheauthorhasmorethanonenationality(forexample,iftheauthorhasdualcitizenship),theworkwillbeeligibleforregistrationifeitheroftheauthor’snationalitiessatisfytheCopyrightAct’seligibilityrequirements.
2005.3 Domicile or First Publication in the Territorial Areas of the United States
DomicileorfirstpublicationinanyoftheterritorialareasunderthejurisdictionoftheU.S.government—otherthantheseveralstates,theDistrictofColumbia,andtheCommonwealthofPuertoRico,andtheorganizedterritories—doesnotconfereligibilityforregistration.Suchareasincludetheunorganizedterritories,thetrustterritories,andotherpossessionsoftheUnitedStates.However,worksbydomiciliariesof,orworksfirstpublishedin,theseareasmaybeeligibleonthebasisofthenationalityoftheauthor.SinceU.S.nationalsincludepersonsbornintheoutlyingpossessionsoftheUnitedStates,eligibilityinsuchcasesmaybeconferredonthatbasis.
2005.4 Stateless Persons
AworkbyastatelessauthoriseligibleforregistrationwiththeU.S.CopyrightOfficeregardlessoftheauthor’sformerorprospectivenationalityordomicile,andregardlessoftheplaceoffirstpublicationofthework.17U.S.C.§104(b)(1).
2005.5 Works Made for Hire
Inthecaseofaworkmadeforhire,itisthenationalityordomicileoftheemployerorotherpersonforwhomtheworkwasprepared,ratherthanthenationalityordomicileoftheemployee,whichservesasthebasisfordeterminingeligibilityforregistration.
2005.5(A) Nationality and Domicile of Corporations and Similar Organizations
Inthecaseofaworkmadeforhire,wheretheemployerorotherpersonforwhomtheworkwaspreparedisnotanaturalperson,butisanartificialpersonorlegalentitysuchasacorporationorsimilarorganization,thenationalityanddomicileofthatorganizationisusuallyconsideredtobethenationunderthelawsofwhichtheorganizationwascreatedforpurposesofcopyrightregistration.Forexample,thenationalityanddomicileofacorporationgenerallyshouldbestatedastheUnitedStatesifitwasincorporatedunderthelawofoneoftheseveralStates,underfederallaw,orunderthelawoftheDistrictofColumbia,theCommonwealthofPuertoRico,orthoseorganizedterritoriesunderthejurisdictionoftheUnitedStatesthathavethepowertocreatecorporations.
2005.5(B) Members
Acorporationorsimilarorganizationisordinarilyconsideredbylawtobeseparateanddistinctfromthepersonswhoareitsmembersorshareholders.Asaresult,thenationalityordomicileoftheorganizationmaybedifferentfromthatofitsmembersorshareholders.
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2005.5(C) Doing Business
Acorporationmaydobusinessinaparticularnationwithoutbeinganationalordomiciliaryofthatnation.
2005.6 Anonymous and Pseudonymous Works
Whereeligibilitydependsonthenationalityordomicileoftheauthor,theapplicantmustprovidethatinformationintheapplication,eveniftheworkisanonymousorpseudonymous.Theapplicantdoesnot,however,havetoidentifytheauthor’snameinsuchcases.
Foradefinitionandgeneraldiscussionofanonymousandpseudonymousworks,seeChapter600,Sections615.1and615.2.
2005.7 Compilations and Derivative Works
Thenationalityordomicileoftheauthorofacompilationorderivativeworkisusedindeterminingeligibilityforregistration,ratherthanthenationalityordomicileoftheauthor(s)ofthepreexistingmaterialusedinthatwork.
2005.8 When Is Eligibility Determined?
Ifeligibilitymustbebasedontheauthor’snationalityordomicile,theauthor’snationalityordomicileandthestatusoftheauthor’scountrymustbeassessedasofthedateoffirstpublication.
2005.8(A) Works Initially Registered as Unpublished, but Ineligible for Registration as Published Works
Eventhoughaworkmayhavebeenregisteredasunpublished,itmustbeeligibleatthetimeoffirstpublicationpublicationtoberegistrableasapublishedwork.Forexample,iftheauthorisanationalanddomiciliaryofIraq(anationwithwhichtheUnitedStateshasnocopyrightrelations),theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillregistertheworkifitisunpublished.IftheworkislaterpublishedinanothercountrywithwhichtheUnitedStatesdoesnothavecopyrighttreatyrelations,andtheauthor’scitizenshipanddomicileremainunchanged,theOfficewillrefusetoregistertheclaiminthepublishedversion.
2005.8(B) Change in Nationality or Domicile after Publication
Ifaworkwaseligibleforregistrationatthetimeoffirstpublicationpublicationonthebasisoftheauthor’snationalityordomicile,changesinnationalityordomicileoccurringafterthattimewillnotimpactthework’seligibility.
2005.9 Eligibility Unclear
SometimesthestatusofcopyrightrelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandaparticularnationisunclear.Incaseswhereeligibilitydependsontheexistenceofcopyright
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relationswiththatcountry,buttherelationshipisunclear,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillrefuseregistration.
2006 Application Tips for Foreign Works
Inmostcases,eligibleforeignworksmayberegisteredjustlikeanyotherwork.Inotherwords,anapplicantgenerallymaysubmitanapplicationusingtheelectronicregistrationsystemandselectingthetypeofworkatissue(e.g.,literarywork,workoftheperformingarts,workofthevisualarts,soundrecording,orsingleserialissue)orbyusingapaperapplication(e.g.,FormTX,PA,VA,SR,SE,etc.).Forspecificguidanceonhowtocompletetheseapplications,seeChapter600(ExaminationPractices).Thereare,however,someforeignworksthatmustberegisteredwithapaperapplicationsubmittedonFormGATT.Theseworkstypicallywerecreatedorpublishedpublishedbefore1996andareknownas“restoredworks,”whicharediscussedinSection2007below.
Inallcases,theapplicantshouldprovidethenameofthenationofwhichtheauthorisanationalordomiciliary,andinthecaseofapublishedwork,thenameofthenationoffirstpublicationpublicationofthework.Forguidanceinidentifyingtheauthor’snationalityordomicile,seeChapter600,Section617.Forguidanceinidentifyingthenationoffirstpublication,seeChapter600,Section612.
Generally,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillnotacceptanapplicationthatlistsaterritoryorotherpoliticalsubdivision,ratherthanthenameofthenationitself.
Examplesofacceptablestatements:
• GreatBritain• England• Wales• France• French• Switzerland• Swiss
Examplesofunacceptablestatements:
• BritishProtectedPerson• CommonwealthCitizen• Worldwide• Internet
2007 Restored Works
2007.1 What Is a Restored Work?
Previously,U.S.federalcopyrightlawdidnotprotectoriginalworksofauthorshipimmediatelyupontheirfixationinatangiblemediumofexpression.Instead,authorsneededtotakecertainsteps,suchaspublishingtheworkwithaspecificcopyright
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copyrightnoticeandrenewingthecopyrightsatparticulartimesinordertoobtainfederalcopyrightprotection.Thesetypesofrequirementsarecalled“formalities”andtheyappliedtobothU.S.andforeignworks.
In1978,thecurrentCopyrightActwentintoeffect,whicheliminatedsomeoftheserequirements.In1989,theUnitedStatesbecameamemberoftheBerneConvention,andenactedtheUruguayRoundAgreementsAct,Pub.L.No.103–465,108Stat.4809(codifiedinscatteredsectionsoftheU.S.C.)(1994)(“URAA”),whichimplementedtheUnitedStates’obligationsundertheAgreementonTrade-RelatedAspectsofIntellectualPropertyRights.ThisfurtherrelaxedsomeoftheCopyrightAct’smorerestrictiveprovisions.
Specifically,theURAA“restored”thecopyrightinforeignworksthatenteredthepublicdomainbecauseofafailuretocomplywithcertainformalities,andthusprovidedretroactivecopyrightprotectionformanyworksthatwereineligibleforprotectionunderthepriorlaw.In2012,theU.S.SupremeCourtheldthattheURAAdoesnotviolateArticleI,Section8ortheFirstAmendmentoftheConstitution.Golanv.Holder,565U.S.302(2012).
Section104A(h)(6)oftheCopyrightActspecifiestherequirementsthatmustbemetinordertoqualifyasa“restoredwork.”
• Notinthepublicdomaininthesourcecountry:Theworkmustnotbeinthepublicdomaininitssourcecountrythroughtheexpirationofthetermofprotection.17U.S.C.§104A(h)(6)(B).AsdiscussedinChapter100,Section102.2(A),thetermofprotectionisthelengthoftimeduringwhichaworkisprotectedbycopyrightlaw.AsdiscussedinChapter300,Section313.6(D),theterm“publicdomain”meansthattheworkisnotprotectedbycopyrightlaw.Thus,arestoredworkmustbecopyright-protectedandstillwithinitstermofprotectionintheforeigncountry.
• FellintothepublicdomainintheUnitedStates:TheworkmustbeinthepublicdomainintheUnitedStates(i)becausetheworkdidnotcomplywithcertainformalities(suchasfailingtoplaceapropernoticeonthework,failingtorenewthecopyrightinatimelymanner,orfailingtocomplywithmanufacturingrequirementsunderpriorlaw);(ii)becausetheworkisasoundrecordingthatwasfixedbeforeFebruary15,1972,andassuch,wasnotprotectedbyU.S.federalcopyrightlaw;or(iii)becauseofalackofnationaleligibility(asdiscussedabovegenerally).17U.S.C.§104A(h)(6)(C).
• Eligibilityattimeofcreationorpublication:publication:Atleastoneauthororrightholderoftheworkmusthavebeen(i)anationalordomiciliaryofaneligiblecountryatthetimeofthework’screation,and(ii)iftheworkispublished,published,itmusthavebeenfirstpublishedinaneligiblecountryandnotpublishedintheUnitedStateswithinthirtydaysafterthedateoffirstpublication.17U.S.C.§104A(h)(6)(D).
• Soundrecordings:IfthesourcecountryfortheworkisaneligiblecountrysolelybyvirtueofitsadherencetotheWPPT,therestoredworkmustbeasoundrecording.17U.S.C.§104A(h)(6)(E).
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January1,1996istheeffectivedateofrestorationofcopyrightforforeignworksfromcountriesthatweremembersoftheWTOortheBerneConventiononthatdate.MostrestoredworkswererestoredonJanuary1,1996,becausemanycountriesbecamemembersoftheWTOorBerneConventionpriortothatdate.Inallothercases,theeffectivedateofrestorationisthedateanewlyeligiblecountryaccedestotheWTOortheBerneConventionorthedateofaPresidentialproclamationrestoringU.S.copyrightprotectiontoworksofthatcountry.
NOTE:Restoredworksaresubjecttoavarietyofotherlegalrequirementsregardingenforcementandremedies,whicharenotcoveredinthisCompendium.Formoreinformationonrestoredworks,seeCopyrightRestorationUndertheURAA(Circular38b).
2007.2 Registration Requirements for Restored Works
TheCopyrightActprotectsrestoredworksregardlessofwhethertheyareregisteredwiththeU.S.CopyrightOffice,althoughregistrationdoesprovidevariousbenefits,whicharedescribedinChapter200,Section202.ThisSectionprovidesgeneralinformationforcopyrightownersthatwishtoregistertheirrestoredworkswiththeOffice.
Aregistrationforarestoredwork(whichisknownasa“GATTregistration”)coversanindividualwork,andanapplicantshouldprepareaseparateapplication,filingfee,anddepositforeachworkthatissubmittedtotheOffice.SeeFees,71Fed.Reg.15,368,15,369(Mar.28,2006)SeeFees,71Fed.Reg.15,368,15,369(Mar.28,2006).
2007.2(A) Form GATT
Toregisterarestoredwork,anapplicantmustfileapaperapplicationusingFormGATT.ApplicantscannotusetheOffice’selectronicregistrationsystemtoregisterrestoredworks.FormGATTisdesignedtorequestinformationneededtodeterminewhetheraworkqualifiesasarestoredworkandcomplieswithU.S.legalrequirements.
WhilemanypartsofFormGATTaresimilartotheOffice’sotherapplications,FormGATTrequiresinformationthatmaybedifferentthantheinformationrequiredbyotherformsbecauseofthedifferencesinhowtheCopyrightActtreatsrestoredworks.TheseissuesarediscussedinSections2007.2(A)(1)through2007.2(A)(3).2007.2(A)(4).
2007.2(A)(1) Who May File Form GATT?
FormGATTmaybefiledbyanyofthefollowingparties:
• Anauthorofthework.
• TheownerofallU.S.rightsinthework.
• Adulyauthorizedagentofoneoftheforegoingparties.
SeeRestorationofCertainBerneandWTOWorks,60Fed.Reg.50,414,50,418(Sept.29,1995).
This redline compares the Compendium (Third) released September 29, 2017, and the Compendium (Third) released January 28, 2021.
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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2007.2(A)(2) Author of a Restored Work
WhenidentifyingtheauthorofarestoredworkonFormGATTapplicantsshouldbeawareofthefollowingissues:
• Timingmatters:Theapplicantmustdeterminewhether,atthetimetheworkwascreated,theauthorwasanationalordomiciliaryofacountrythatisnoweligibleforprotectionintheUnitedStates.See17U.S.C.§104A(h)(6)(D).
• Anonymousworks:Toregisterananonymouswork,theapplicantmayprovidetheauthor’slegalnameortheauthor’spseudonym,aslongasthepseudonymconsistsofaname(ratherthananumberorsymbol).SeeChapter600,Section615.1(B).
2007.2(A)(23) Publication of a Restored Work
ToqualifyforaGATTregistration,apublishedwork(i)musthaveatleastoneauthororrightholderwhowasanationalordomiciliaryofaneligiblecountrywhentheworkwascreated,(ii)itmusthavebeenfirstpublishedpublishedinaneligiblecountry,and(iii)itmustnothavebeenpublishedintheUnitedStateswithinthirtydaysafterfirstpublicationinthatcountry.publicationinthatcountry.See17U.S.C.§104A(h)(6)(D).
2007.2(A)(3) Owners4) Owner of U.S. Copyright in a Restored Work
AclaiminarestoredworkmayberegisteredonlyinthenameofthecurrentownerofallU.S.rightsinthatwork.SeeRestorationofCertainBerneandWTOWorks,60Fed.Reg.50,414,50,418(Sept.29,1995).
2007.2(B) Filing Fees
Theapplicantmustsubmitthecorrectfilingfeetoregisterarestoredwork.See37C.F.R.§202.3(c)(2).ThecurrentfeeissetforthintheU.S.CopyrightOffice’sfeescheduleundertheheading“Registrationofaclaiminarestoredcopyright(FormGATT.”).”
Forinformationconcerningthemethodsforpayingthefilingfee,seeChapter1400,Sections14031412.3through14031412.5.
2007.2(C) Deposit Requirements
Forspecificdepositrequirementsfordifferenttypesofrestoredworks,seeChapter1500,Sections1509.1(J)(LiteraryWorks),1509.2(H)(WorksofthePerformingArts),and1509.3(E)(3)(VisualArtWorks).
This redline compares the Compendium (Third) released September 29, 2017, and the Compendium (Third) released January 28, 2021.