COMPENDIUM Chapter 2200 Notice of Copyright

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C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter2200

NoticeofCopyright2201 What This Chapter Covers

ThisChapterdiscussesthenoticerequirementsforU.S.workspublishedpublishedincopiesandphonorecordsintheUnitedStatesbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,whencopyrightnoticewasrequiredforpublishedworks.

ThisChapterdoesnotcoverworkspublishedbeforeJanuary1,1978undertheCopyrightActof1909.ForinformationonthenoticerequirementsforworksfirstpublishedpriortoJanuary1,1978,seeChapter2100((RenewalRegistration).

2202 Works Exempt From the Notice Requirement

2202.1 Unpublished Works

Acopyrightnoticehasneverbeenrequiredforunpublishedworks.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficewillregisteranunpublishedworkthatdoesnotbearanotice,regardlessofwhethertheworkwascreatedbeforeorafterMarch1,1989.

2202.2 Post-Berne Works

NoticeisoptionalforworksfirstpublishedpublishedonorafterMarch1,1989.

TheBerneConventionImplementationActof1988amendedtheCopyrightActof1976bymakingnoticeoptionalforworkspublishedonorafterthisdate.TheUruguayRoundAgreementsActamendedthestatutebyrestoringcopyrightsforforeignworksthatlostcopyrightprotectionintheUnitedStatesforfailuretocomplywithnoticerequirementspriortoMarch1,1989.Thisincludes(i)workscreatedbyanauthorwhoisacitizenof,ordomiciledin,acountrythathasenteredintoacopyrighttreatywiththeUnitedStates,and(ii)worksfirstpublished,orsoundrecordingsfirstfixed,inacountrythathasenteredintoacopyrighttreatywiththeUnitedStates.Foradetaileddiscussionofforeignworks,seeChapter2000.

ForpurposeofthisChapter,thesetypesofworksarecollectivelyreferredtoas“Post-BerneWorks.”

2202.2(A) Advantages to Using Notice on Post-Berne Works

Althoughnoticeisoptionalforunpublishedworks,foreignworks,orworkspublishedpublishedonorafterMarch1,1989,theU.S.CopyrightOfficestronglyencouragescopyrightownerstouseanoticeforthefollowingreasons:

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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• Itputspotentialusersonnoticethatcopyrightisclaimedinthework.

• Inthecaseofapublishedwork,anoticemaypreventadefendantinacopyrightinfringementactionfromattemptingtolimithisorherliabilityfordamagesorinjunctivereliefbasedonaninnocentinfringementdefense.

• Itidentifiesthecopyrightowneratthetimetheworkwasfirstpublishedforpartiesseekingpermissiontousethework.

• Itidentifiestheyearoffirstpublication,whichmaybeusedtodeterminethetermofcopyrightprotectioninthecaseofananonymouswork,apseudonymouswork,oraworkmadeforhire.

• Itmaypreventtheworkfrombecominganorphanworkbyidentifyingthecopyrightownerand/orspecifyingthetermofthecopyright.

See17U.S.C.§§401(d),402(d),405(b),406(a),504(c)(2).

Copyrightownersmayuseanyformofnoticeforanunpublishedwork,aforeignwork,oraworkpublishedonorafterMarch1,1989.Asageneralrule,Post-BerneworksdonotneedtocomplywiththenoticerequirementssetforthinSections401or402oftheCopyrightActoranyoftheotherrequirementsdiscussedinSections2203through2209below.

NOTE:Thereislimitedexceptiontothisrule.WorkspublishedonorafterMarch1,1989mayrequireanoticethatcomplieswithSections401or402topreventadefendantfrominvokinganinnocentinfringementdefenseinacopyrightinfringementaction.See17U.S.C.§§401(d),402(d),504(c)(2).

2202.2(B) Examination Guidelines for Post-Berne Works

BecauseanoticeisnotrequiredforaPost-Bernework,theomissionofanoticefromthecopiesorphonorecordsofthatworkhasnoeffectonthevalidityofthecopyright.However,iftheinformationprovidedintheapplicationisinconsistentwiththeinformationcontainedinthenotice,theregistrationspecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicant.

2203 Requirement of Notice

2203.1 Works First Published Between January 1, 1978 and February 28, 1989

PriortoMarch1,1989,whenacopyrightedworkwaspublishedpublishedwiththeauthorityofthecopyrightownerintheUnitedStatesorelsewhere,thecopyrightlawgenerallyrequiredthatanoticebeplaced“onallpubliclydistributedcopiesfromwhichtheworkcanbevisuallyperceived.”Likewise,thecopyrightlawgenerallyrequiredthatanoticebeplaced“onallpubliclydistributedphonorecordsof[a]soundrecording”publishedintheUnitedStatesorelsewherewiththeauthorityofthecopyrightowner.SeeCopyrightActof1976,§§401(a),402(a),90Stat.2541,2576-77(1976)(currentversionat17U.S.C.§§401(a),402(a)).However,certainomissionsofnoticebeforeMarch1,1989couldbecuredunderthe1976Act.SeeSection2203.4.



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Foradefinitionanddiscussionofpublication,seeChapter1900.

2203.2 Visually Perceptible Copies

PriortoMarch1,1989,anoticewasrequiredforvisuallyperceptiblecopiesofaworkpublishedpublishedwiththeauthorityofthecopyrightowner.Copiesare“materialobjects,otherthanphonorecords,inwhichaworkisfixedbyanymethodnowknownorlaterdeveloped,andfromwhichtheworkcanbeperceived,reproduced,orotherwisecommunicated,eitherdirectlyorindirectlywiththeaidofamachineordevice.”17U.S.C.§101(definitionof“copies”).

Acopyisconsideredvisuallyperceptibleiftheworkisfixedinatangiblemediumofexpressionandiftheworkcanbevisuallyperceived,eitherdirectlyorwiththeaidofamachineordevice.Examplesofworksfixedinvisuallyperceptiblecopiesincludebooks,sheetmusic,andphotographs.Bycontrast,aliterary,dramatic,ormusicalworkfixedinaphonorecordisnotconsideredavisuallyperceptiblecopyofthatwork.

2203.3 Phonorecords

PriortoMarch1,1989,anoticewasrequiredwhenaU.S.soundrecordingwaspublishedpublishedonphonorecordswiththeauthorityofthecopyrightowner.

Thereisafundamentaldistinctionbetweenasoundrecordingandaphonorecord.Asoundrecordingisaworkofauthorshipthatresultsfromthefixationofaseriesofsounds,suchasarecordingofasong,arecordingofaspeech,orothertypesofaudiorecordings.Bycontrast,aphonorecordisamaterialobjectthatcontainsasoundrecording,suchasavinyldisc,cassette,compactdisc,digitalaudiofile(e.g.,.mp3,.wav),orotherrecordingmedium.Specifically,theCopyrightActdefinesphonorecordsas“materialobjectsinwhichsounds,otherthanthoseaccompanyingamotionpictureorotheraudiovisualwork,arefixedbyanymethodnowknownorlaterdeveloped,andfromwhichthesoundscanbeperceived,reproduced,orotherwisecommunicated,eitherdirectlyorwiththeaidofamachineordevice.”17U.S.C.§101(definitionof“phonorecords”).

AlthoughnoticewasrequiredforU.S.soundrecordings,noticewasnotrequiredwhenamusicalwork,literarywork,ordramaticworkwaspublishedonphonorecords,becauseaphonorecordisnotavisuallyperceptiblecopyofthesetypesofworks.

CompareCopyrightActof1976,§402(a),90Stat.2541,2577(1976)(statingthatwheneverasoundrecording“ispublishedintheUnitedStatesorelsewherebyauthorityofthecopyrightowner”anotice“shallbeplacedonallpubliclydistributedphonorecordsofthesoundrecording”)withid.§402401(a),90Stat.at2576(statingthat“[w]heneveraworkprotectedunderthistitleispublishedintheUnitedStatesorelsewherebyauthorityofthecopyrightowner,”anotice“shallbeplacedonallpubliclydistributedcopiesfromwhichtheworkcanbevisuallyperceived”).



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2203.4 Omission of Notice on Works First Published Between January 1, 1978 and February 28, 1989

TheomissionofanoticeonaworkpublishedpublishedbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989withtheauthorityofthecopyrightownerdoesnotinvalidatethecopyright,providedthatoneofthefollowingconditionshasbeenmet:

• Thenoticewasomittedfromnomorethanarelativelysmallnumberofcopiesorphonorecordsdistributedtothepublic;or

• Theworkwasregisteredbeforeorwithinfiveyearsafterthepublicationwithoutnoticeandareasonableeffortwasmade“toaddnoticetoallcopiesorphonorecordsthataredistributedtothepublicintheUnitedStatesaftertheomissionhasbeendiscovered;”or

• Theomissionwas“inviolationofanexpressrequirementinwritingthat,asaconditionofthecopyrightowner’sauthorizationofthepublicdistributionofcopiesorphonorecords,theybeartheprescribednotice.”

17U.S.C.§405(a).Likewise,theomissionofanoticeonaworkpublishedbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989doesnotinvalidatethecopyrightinthatworkifthenoticewasremovedfromthecopiesorphonorecordswithouttheauthorizationofthecopyrightowner.See17U.S.C.§405(c).

2204 The Form of the Notice

2204.1 Notice for Works Fixed in Copies

AnoticeforaworkpublishedpublishedbeforeMarch1,1989thathasbeenfixedincopiesshouldincludethefollowingelements:

• Thesymbol©ortheword“Copyright”ortheabbreviation“Copr.”;

• Theyearoffirstpublicationpublicationforthework;and

• Thenameofthecopyrightowner,oranabbreviationbywhichthenamecanberecognized,oragenerallyknownalternativedesignationoftheowner.

17U.S.C.§401(b).EachofthesetermsarediscussedinSections2204.4and2205below.Theelementsofthenoticeshouldappearasasinglecontinuousstatementcontainingthecopyrightsymbolortheword“Copyright”ortheabbreviation“Copr.,”followedbytheyearoffirstpublication,followedbythenameofthecopyrightowner.

Examples:

• ©1978JohnDoe

• Copyright1980JohnDoe

• Copr.1982JohnDoe



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Inthecaseofapictorial,graphic,orsculpturalwork,theyearofpublicationmaybeomittediftheworkisreproducedongreetingcards,postcards,stationery,jewelry,dolls,toys,oranyusefularticle.usefularticle.

2204.2 Notice for Sound Recordings Fixed on Phonorecords

AnoticeforasoundrecordingfixedinphonorecordsandpublishedpublishedbeforeMarch1,1989shouldincludethefollowingelements:

• ThesymbolⓅ℗(i.e.,theletterPinacircle);

• Theyearoffirstpublication;publication;and

• Thenameofthecopyrightownerforthesoundrecording,oranabbreviationbywhichthenamecanberecognized,oragenerallyknownalternativedesignationoftheowner.

17U.S.C.§402(b).EachofthesetermsarediscussedinSections2204.4and2205below.TheelementsofthenoticeshouldappearasasinglecontinuousstatementcontainingtheⓅ℗symbol,followedbytheyearoffirstpublication,followedbythenameofthecopyrightowner.

Example:

• Ⓟ℗1984JohnDoeRecords

Iftheproducerofthesoundrecordingisnamedonthelabelsorcontainersforthephonorecord,andifnoothernameappearsinconjunctionwiththenotice,theproducer’snameisconsideredpartofthenotice.Seeid.

2204.3 Omission of the © or Ⓟ℗ Symbol or the Word “Copyright”

IfaU.S.workwaspubliclydistributedbyauthorityofthecopyrightownerbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,andifthecopiesorphonorecordsdonotcontaintheword“Copyright,”theabbreviation“Copr.,”oranappropriatesymbolthatcouldreasonablyberegardedaspartofthenotice,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutanynotice.See17U.S.C.§405.

2204.4 Variations on the © or Ⓟ℗ Symbol or the Word “Copyright”

Somevariantsonthesymbols©orⓅ℗ortheword“copyright”maybeacceptableandtheuseofsuchvariantsmaynotresultinadefectivenotice.Bycontrast,anunacceptablevariantwillbetreatedasanomissionofthenotice.

2204.4(A) Variants for the © Symbol

Avariantofthesymbol©isacceptableonlyifitresemblesthe©closelyenoughtoindicateclearlythatthevariantisintendedtobethecopyrightsymbol.Acceptablevariantsinclude:



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• Thelettercwithaparenthesisoverthetop.• Thelettercwithaparenthesisunderthebottom.• (c• c)• (c)• Thelettercwithanunenclosedcirclearoundit.

Examplesofunacceptablevariantsonthe©symbolincludethefollowing:

• CO• C• C/O• @(i.e.,theletterainacircle).• Thelettercwithacircleattachedtothebottomoftheletter.• Thelettercinasquare.• [c]

2204.4(B) Variants for the Ⓟ℗ Symbol

AvariantofthesymbolⓅ℗isacceptableonlyifitresemblestheⓅ℗closelyenoughtoindicateclearlythatthevariantisintendedtobethesymbolforasoundrecordingcopyright.Acceptablevariantsinclude:

• TheletterPwithaparenthesisoverthetop.• TheletterPwithaparenthesisunderthebottom.• (P• P)• (P)• TheletterPwithanunenclosedcirclearoundit.

2204.4(C) Variants for the Word “Copyright”

Amisspelledorvariantformoftheword“Copyright”ortheabbreviation“copr.”maybeacceptedifitisclearthatthetermisintendedtobe“copyright.”Acceptablevariantsinclude:

• Copyrighted• Copywrite• Copywritten• CopyrightPending• CopyrightAppliedFor• CopyrightandRegistered• RegisteredU.S.CopyrightOffice• Copy• Copyr.

Theterm“AllRightsReserved”orthelikeisnotanelementofthenoticeprescribedbyU.S.law,anditisnotanacceptablevariantorsubstitutefortheword“copyright”ortheabbreviation“Copr.”Thesameistrueforsimilarstatementsinotherlanguages,suchas“TodoslosDerechosReservados.”However,theuseofsuchtermsinjuxtapositionwithanacceptablenoticeispermitted.



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Examples:

• Copyright1986FrontierMedicine.AllRightsReserved.

• ©1988AbigailVillagrosdeIzaguirra.TodoslosDerechosReservados.

2205 Elements of Notice

2205.1 Year

2205.1(A) Year of Publication

Asageneralrule,thenoticeonvisuallyperceptiblecopiesandonphonorecordsofsoundrecordingsmustincludetheyearoffirstpublication.Thenoticeoncopiesofacompilationorderivativeworkincorporatingpreviouslypublishedmaterialonlyrequirestheyearoffirstpublicationforthecompilationorderivativework.17U.S.C.§§401(b)(2),402(b)(2).

Anoticemaybeacceptediftheyearofpublicationispresentedinanyofthefollowingforms:

• Arabicnumerals(e.g.,1981).

• AbbreviationsofArabicnumerals(e.g.,’81).

• Romannumerals(e.g.,MCMLXXXI).

• Numericwords(e.g.,NineteenHundredEighty-One).

• Theyearoffirstpublicationfollowedbymultipleyeardates(e.g.,1981,1982,1983).

2205.1(B) Year of Publication Omitted

IfaU.S.workwaspubliclydistributedbyauthorityofthecopyrightownerbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,andifthecopiesorphonorecordscontainnoyeardatethatcouldreasonablyberegardedaspartofthenotice,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutanynotice.

2205.1(C) Antedated Notice: Date in the Notice Earlier than the Actual Year of First Publication

Anantedatednoticeisanoticethatcontainsadatethatisearlierthantheyearthattheworkwasfirstpublished.published.

Example:

• MonsterTrucks,Inc.firstpublishedapartscatalogin1986withanantedatednoticethatreads:“©1985MonsterTrucks.”



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IfaU.S.workwaspubliclydistributedbyauthorityofthecopyrightownerbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989withanantedatednotice,itisconsideredanerrorinthedate.Thiserrordoesnotaffectthevalidityofthecopyrightinthatwork.17U.S.C.§406(b),(c).

Ifthedateinthenoticeisonlyoneyear(orless)earlierthanthedateofpublicationpublicationspecifiedintheapplication,theregistrationspecialistwillregistertheclaimandwilladdanannotation,suchas:“Regardingpublication:yearYeardateinnotice____.”Ifthedateistwoormoreyearsearlierthanthedateofpublicationspecifiedintheapplication,thespecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicanttodetermineifthepublicationdateiscorrect.Ifthedatespecifiedintheapplicationisincorrect,thespecialistmayaddthecorrectdatetotheapplication,registertheclaim,andaddanotetotheregistrationrecord.Ifthedatespecifiedintheapplicationiscorrectandtheworkisnotaderivativework,theregistrationspecialistwillregistertheclaimandaddanannotation,suchas:“Regardingpublication:yearYeardateinnotice____.Publicationdateconfirmedcorrectinphonecall/emailwith____on____.”

NOTE:Usinganantedatednoticeinananonymouswork,pseudonymouswork,orworkmadeforhiremayaffectthetermofthecopyrightiftheworkwasfirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989.Insuchcases,thetermiscomputedfromtheyearofpublicationthatappearsinthenotice,ratherthanfromtheactualyearoffirstpublication.

2205.1(D) Postdated Notice: Date in the Notice Later than the Actual Year of First Publication

Apostdatednoticeisanoticethatcontainsadatethatislaterthantheyearthattheworkwasfirstpublished.published.

Example:

• Asongbookfirstpublishedin1985withapostdatednoticethatreads:“Copyright1986ArpeggioMusic.”

IfaworkwaspubliclydistributedbyauthorityofthecopyrightownerwithapostdatednoticebetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,itisconsideredanerrorinthedate.17U.S.C.§406(b),(c).

Ifthedateinthenoticeisnomorethanoneyearlaterthanthedateofpublicationpublicationspecifiedintheapplication,theregistrationspecialistgenerallywillregistertheclaimwithoutcommunicatingwiththeapplicant,althoughheorshewilladdanannotationtotherecord,suchas:“Regardingpublication:yearYeardateinnotice____.”

IfaU.S.workwaspubliclydistributedbyauthorityofthecopyrightownerbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,andifthedateinthenoticeistwoormoreyearslaterthantheyearinwhichtheworkwasfirstpublished,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedwithoutanynotice.Iftheworkissubmittedforregistrationmorethanfiveyearsafterthedateoffirstpublication,theregistration



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specialistwillrefusetoregistertheclaimifheorshedeterminesthattheworkisaU.S.work.

NOTE:Thispolicyequallyappliestocertainworksofvisualart,suchasjewelry,dolls,ortoysthatcontainapostdatednotice,notwithstandingthefactthatayeardateisnotrequiredinthenoticeforsuchworks.

2205.1(E) Dispersed Date in a Notice

Ayearofpublicationthatisseparatedfromtherestofthenoticemaybeacceptableifitisanappropriatedateandifitisreasonablyidentifiableaspartofthenotice.Forexample,anappropriateyearofpublicationmaybeacceptableifitistheonlydatethatappearsonthesamepageastheotherelementsofthenotice.

Likewise,ayearofpublicationthatisprominentlydisplayedelsewhereoncopiesorphonorecordsmaybeacceptableifitisanappropriatedateandifitcanreasonablybeconsideredpartofthenotice.Forinstance,theU.S.CopyrightOfficemayacceptadatethatappearsinthe“LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData”orintheyearofissueforaperiodical,periodical,evenifthedatedoesnotappearonthesamepageastherestofthenotice.

Inthosecaseswhereayearisrequiredandnoyearofpublicationcanbereasonablyidentifiedaspartofthenotice,theOfficewillconsidertheworktobepublishedwithoutnotice.

2205.1(F) Multiple Dates in a Notice

Ifthenoticecontainstwoormoredatesandifnoneofthosedatesrepresenttheyearoffirstpublication,theregistrationspecialistwillusethemostrecentdatetodetermineiftheworkwaspublishedwithanadequatenotice.

Ifthenoticecontainsearlierdatesaswellastheactualyearoffirstpublication,thespecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicantifitappearsthattheworkisaderivativeworkandtheearlierdatesrefertothedateofpublicationforanearlierversion(s)oredition(s)ofthework.InthiscasethespecialistwillasktheapplicanttocompletetheLimitationofClaimfield/spaceinordertolimittheclaimtothenewmaterialappearinginthederivativeworkforthefirsttime.Likewise,thespecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicantifitappearsthattheearlierdatesrefertothedateofregistrationforanyunclaimablematerialthathasbeenincorporatedintothework.

2205.2 Name

2205.2(A) Name of Copyright Owner

Asageneralrule,thecopyrightnoticeonbothcopiesandphonorecordsmustincludeoneofthefollowing:

• Thenameoftheownerofcopyrightintheworkoranabbreviationbywhichthenamecanberecognized,or



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• Agenerallyknownalternativedesignationoftheowner.

17U.S.C.§§401(b)(3),402(b)(3).

Ordinarily,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillnotcommunicatewiththeapplicantifthenameinthenoticeappearssufficienttoidentifythecopyrightowner.

2205.2(B) Name of Copyright Owner Omitted

IfaU.S.workwaspubliclydistributedbyauthorityofthecopyrightownerbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989andifthenoticedoesnotcontainanamethatcouldreasonablybeconsideredapartofthenotice,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutanynotice.

2205.2(C) Owner Named in the Notice

Forpurposesofnotice,thecopyrightowneristhe“claimant”orproprietorofallrightsatthetimetheworkwaspublished.published.Forpurposesofregistration,thecopyrightclaimantmustbe(i)theauthoroftheworkor(ii)apersonororganizationthathasobtainedalltheexclusiverightsofcopyrightthatinitiallybelongedtotheauthor.

Inmostcases,thenameprovidedintheapplicationwillbethesameasthenamethatappearsinthenotice.Insomecases,theclaimantnamedintheapplicationandthecopyrightownernamedinthenoticemaybedifferent.Bothnamesmaybecorrect,providedthatthecopyrightwasassignedtothecopyrightclaimantbetweenthedatethattheworkwasfirstpublishedandthedatethattheapplicationwassubmittedtotheU.S.CopyrightOffice.Insuchsituations,atransferstatementmustbeprovidedintheapplication.

IftheclaimantnamedintheapplicationdoesnotappeartobetheauthororownerofallU.S.rightsintheworkbasedoninformationprovidedelsewhereintheregistrationmaterialsorobtainedfromothersources,thespecialistwillcommunicatewiththeapplicanttoresolveanyinconsistencybetweenthenameprovidedintheapplicationandthenameinthenotice.

2205.2(D) Variants, Abbreviations, Alternative Designations, or Pseudonyms for the Copyright Owner

Anoticemaycontainanabbreviationbywhichthecopyrightownercanberecognizedoragenerallyknownalternativedesignation.Insuchcases,theapplicantshouldprovidethelegalnameoftheclaimantandspecifytherelationshipbetweenthelegalnameandthenamethatappearsinthenotice.

Arecognizableabbreviationforthecopyrightowner’sfullnametypicallycontainsanabbreviationforeachsignificantwordinthatname.

Example:

• “Merc.Rec.”forMercuryRecordsCorporation.



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Agenerallyknownalternativedesignationforthecopyrightowner’sfullnamemaycontainpartofthatname,thecopyrightowner’swell-knowninitials,oracompletelydifferentname.

Examples:

• “Atlantic”forAtlanticRecordingCorporation.

• “NBC”forNationalBroadcastingCompany.

• “Melodium”forGeniusRecordingCo.

Ifthenoticeappearstoidentifythecopyrightownertopeoplewhoarelikelytoobtaincopiesorphonorecordsofthework,thenoticewillbeconsideredacceptable.

Likewise,ifthenameappearinginthenoticeisapseudonymforanindividualwhoisnamedintheapplicationasacopyrightclaimant,thenoticewillbeconsideredacceptableiftheclaimantisgenerallyknownbythatpseudonym.

Ifthename,abbreviation,oralternativedesignationinthenoticeissovague,truncated,orambiguousthatitcouldnotidentifyanypersonorentityasacopyrightowner,theU.S.CopyrightOfficewillconsidertheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutanynameinthenotice.

2205.2(E) Deceased Person Named in the Notice

Adeceasedpersoncannotowncopyrightoranyotherproperty.Iftheworkwaspublishedpublishedduringtheowner’slifetimeandthenameprovidedinthenoticewascorrect,andiftheworkissubmittedforregistrationaftertheowner’sdeath,theapplicantmustnametheownerofallrightsatthetimetheapplicationissubmittedforregistrationandprovideatransferstatementexplaininghowthatpartyobtainedownershipofthecopyright.

IftheU.S.CopyrightOfficehasreasontobelievethatthepersonnamedinthenoticediedbeforethefirstpublicationpublicationofthework,theOfficewilltreatthisasanerrorinthenotice.Ifthepublicationwasauthorizedbythecopyrightowner,theerrorwillnotaffectthevalidityorownershipofthecopyrightinthework.However,itmayallowathirdpartytoassertaninnocentinfringementdefenseunlessoneofthefollowingeventshasoccurred:

• Theworkwasregisteredinthenameofthecopyrightownerbeforetheallegedinfringementbegan;or

• Adocumentexecutedbythepersonnamedinthenoticeshowingtheownershipofthecopyrightwasrecordedbeforetheallegedinfringementbegan.

See17U.S.C.§406(a).



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2205.2(F) Copyright Owner Identified by Reference

Anoticethatidentifiesthecopyrightownerbyreference,suchas“copyrightbyauthor”or“copyrightbypublisher,”isacceptableifthecopiesorphonorecordscontainaname,abbreviation,oragenerallyknowndesignationthatidentifiesthecopyrightownerastheauthor,thepublisher,oranotherpersonorlegalentity.

Ifthecopiesorphonorecordsdonotcontainthename,anabbreviationofthename,orgenerallyknowndesignationthatidentifiesthecopyrightowner,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutnotice.17U.S.C.§406(c).

2205.2(G) Multiple Names in the Notice

Whentwoormorenamesappearinthenotice,butonlyoneofthosepartiesisnamedintheapplicationasthecopyrightclaimant,theregistrationspecialistgenerallywillregistertheclaimwithoutcommunicatingwiththeapplicant.

2205.2(H) Name of the Copyright Owner Separated from Other Elements in the Notice

Ifthecopiesorphonorecordscontainaname,abbreviation,orgenerallyknownalternativedesignationforthecopyrightownerthatisseparatedfromtheotherelementsofthenotice,thenoticemaybeaccepted,providedthatthenamecanreasonablybeconsideredpartofthenotice.

Ifthecopiesorphonorecordscontaintwoormorenames,abbreviations,oralternativedesignationsthatareequallyidentifiablewiththerestofthenotice,thenoticemaybeacceptedifanyofthosenames,abbreviations,oralternativedesignationsiscapableofidentifyinganypersonorentityasacopyrightowner.

Ifnoneofthenames,abbreviations,oralternativedesignationsisidentifiablewiththerestofthenotice,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutanynotice.

2205.2(I) Error in the Name of the Copyright Owner

Whenthepersonnamedinthenoticewasauthorizedbythecopyrightownertopublishthework,butisnottheactualcopyrightowner,itisconsideredtobeanerrorinthename.Thisdoesnotaffectthevalidityorownershipofthecopyright.Insuchcases,theworkmayberegisteredatanytimebeforethecopyrightexpires,providedthattheapplicantidentifiestheclaimantwhoownsthecopyrightatthetimewhentheapplicationissubmittedtotheU.S.CopyrightOffice.

17U.S.C.§406(a).



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2206 Affixation of the Notice

2206.1 Affixation and Position of the Notice

TheCopyrightActstatesthatthenoticeshallbeaffixedonpubliclydistributedcopiesandphonorecordsinsuchamannerandinalocationthatprovidesreasonablenoticetothepublicoftheclaimtocopyright.

Inallcases,theacceptabilityofanoticedependsuponitsbeingpermanentlylegibletoanordinaryuseroftheworkandaffixedtothecopiesinsuchmannerandpositionthatitisnotconcealedfromviewuponreasonableexamination.

2206.2 Affixation of Notice on Copies

Ifanoticeisnotaffixedtocopiesorphonorecordsinsuchmannerandlocationastogivereasonablenoticeoftheclaimtocopyright,theU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderstheworktobepublishedpublishedwithoutnotice.17U.S.C.§§401(c),402(c),405.

2206.3 Affixation of Notice on Phonorecords

Whenaworkispubliclydistributedonphonorecords,anoticeshallbeplacedonthesurfaceofthephonorecordoronthelabelorcontainerforthephonorecordinsuchmannerandlocationastogivereasonablenoticeoftheclaimtocopyright.17U.S.C.§402(c).

2206.4 Handwritten, Typewritten, or Rubber-Stamped Notice on Published Copies or Phonorecords

Asageneralrule,ifahandwritten,typewritten,orrubber-stampednoticeappearsoncopiesorphonorecordsofaworkpublishedpublishedbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,theU.S.CopyrightOfficemayasktheapplicantwhetherasimilarnoticeappearedonallthecopiesorphonorecordswhentheworkwasfirstpublished.

2206.5 Legibility of the Notice

Ablurrednoticemaybeacceptableifitislegible,butanoticethatissobadlyblurredastobeillegiblewillbetreatedasanomissionofnotice.

2206.6 Microscopic Notice

Ingeneral,anoticethatissosmallthatitcannotbereadwithoutamagnifyingglassisconsideredunacceptableandwillbetreatedasiftheworkwaspublishedpublishedwithoutnotice,unlesstheworkitselfrequiresmagnificationforitsordinaryuseandprovidedthatthenoticeisreadablewhentheworkhasbeenmagnified.



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2206.7 Concealed Notice

Aconcealednoticethatispermanentlycoveredsothatitcannotbeseenwithoutdamagingortearingtheworkapartisunacceptable.TheU.S.CopyrightOfficeconsiderssuchworkstobepublishedpublishedwithoutnotice.Tobeacceptable,anoticemustbelegibletoanordinaryuseroftheworkundernormalconditionsofuseandaffixedtothecopiesinsuchamannerandpositionthatwhenaffixeditisnotconcealedfromviewuponreasonableexaminationbytheOfficeortheordinaryuser.See17U.S.C.§§401(c),402(c).

Examples:

• Anoticeonthemarginorbackofapaintingthatisconcealedunderapermanentframeormatisunacceptable.

• Anoticeonthebottomofafigurinethatiscementedonabasesothatthenoticeisconcealedisunacceptable.

2206.8 Notice Visible Upon Ordinary Use

Anoticethatisnotvisibleoncasualinspectionoftheworkmaybeacceptableifthenoticebecomesvisibleintheordinaryuseofthework.

Example:

• Anoticeforacomputerprogramthatbecomesvisiblewhentheprogramisrun.

2207 Location and Placement of the Notice

TheCopyrightActdirectstheRegisterofCopyrightstoadoptspecificregulationsfortheplacementofcopyrightnoticeforvariousworks.17U.S.C.§401(c).Theseregulationsarefoundat37C.F.R.§201.20202.2.

2207.1 Literary Works

AsexplainedinSection2202.2,noticeisoptionalforworkspublishedonorafterMarch1,1989.Priortothatdate,anoticewasrequiredwhenaU.S.literaryworkwaspubliclydistributedinvisuallyperceptiblecopies,suchasabookoramagazine.Whenanoticeisincludedonacopyofaliterarywork,itisconsideredacceptableifitappearsinanyofthelocationsdescribedinSections2207.1(A)through2207.2.

NOTE:ForpurposesofthisSection,theterm“leaf”meansasheetofpaperorthelike,thatmayexistasaseparateitemorasapartofabookorsimilarpublication.A“page”isasinglesideofaleaf.

2207.1(A) Literary Works Published in Book Form

Inthecaseofworkspublishedpublishedinbookform,anoticeisacceptableifitappearsonthecopiesinanyofthefollowingpositions:



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• Thetitlepage,ifany.

• Thepageimmediatelyfollowingthetitlepage,ifany.

• Eithersideofthefrontcover,ifany,orifthereisnofrontcover,oneithersideofthefrontleafofthecopies.

• Eithersideofthebackcover,ifany,orifthereisnobackcover,eithersideofthebackleafofthecopies.

• Thefirstpageofthemainbodyofthework.

• Thelastpageofthemainbodyofthework.

• Anypagebetweenthefrontpageandthefirstpageofthemainbodyofthework,if(i)therearenomorethantenpagesbetweenthefrontpageandthefirstpageofthemainbodyofthework,and(ii)thenoticeisreproducedprominentlyandissetapartfromtheothermatteronthepagewhereitappears.

• Anypagebetweenthelastpageofthemainbodyoftheworkandthebackpage,if(i)therearenomorethantenpagesbetweenthelastpageofthemainbodyoftheworkandthebackpage,and(ii)thenoticeisreproducedprominentlyandissetapartfromtheothermatteronthepagewhereitappears.

37C.F.R.§201.20(d)(1)-(8).

37C.F.R.§202.2(c)(4)(i)-(viii).

2207.1(B) Single Leaf Works

Inthecaseofaliteraryworkconsistingofasingleleaf,anoticeisacceptableifitisreproducedinthecopiesanywhereonthefrontorbackoftheleaf.37C.F.R.§201.20(e202.2(c)(5).

2207.1(C) Dust Jackets

Anoticeofcopyrightonthedustjacketofabookisnotanacceptablenoticeforthebook,becausethedustjacketisnotpermanentlyattachedtothebook.Likewise,anoticeappearinginabookisnotanacceptablenoticeforthedustjacketoranymaterialappearingonthatdustjacket,evenifthebookreferstothejacketormaterialappearingonthejacket.

2207.1(D) Literary Works Embodied in Phonorecords

Anoticeisnotrequiredforliteraryworkspublishedsolelyinphonorecords,becausephonorecordsarenotconsideredvisuallyperceptiblecopiesofsuchworks.



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2207.1(E) Periodicals or Other Serials

ThenoticeforaworkpublishedpublishedasanissueofaperiodicalperiodicalorotherserialserialmaybeacceptableifitappearsinanyofthelocationsdiscussedinSection2207.1(A)orifitislocated:

• Aspartof,oradjacentto,themasthead,oronthepagecontainingthemasthead;or

• Adjacenttoaprominentheading,appearingatornearthefrontoftheissue,containingthetitleoftheperiodicalorotherserialserialandanycombinationofthevolumeandissuenumberanddateoftheissue.

37C.F.R.§201.20(d)(1)-(9).

37C.F.R.§202.2(c)(4)(i)-(ix).

2207.2 Contributions to Collective Works

Ageneralnoticeforacollectiveworkasawholecoverstheseparatecontributionsthatitcontains(regardlessofownership),exceptforanyadvertisementsinsertedonbehalfofpersonsotherthanthecopyrightownerforthecollectivework.

Inaddition,aseparatenoticeforacontributiontoacollectiveworkmaybeacceptableifitappearsinanyofthefollowingpositions:

• Wherethecontributionisreproducedonasinglepage,anoticeisacceptableifitappears(i)underthetitleofthecontributiononthatpage;(ii)adjacenttothecontribution;or(iii)onthesamepageifthroughformat,wording,orboth,theapplicationofthenoticetotheparticularcontributionismadeclear.

• Wherethecontributionisreproducedonmorethanonepageofthecollectivework,anoticeisacceptableifitappears(i)underatitleappearingatornearthebeginningofthecontribution;(ii)onthefirstpageofthemainbodyofthecontribution;(iii)immediatelyfollowingtheendofthecontribution;or(iv)onanyofthepageswherethecontributionappears,providedthatthecontributionisreproducedonnomorethantwentypagesofthecollectivework;thenoticeisreproducedprominentlyandissetapartfromothermatteronthepagewhereitappears;andthroughformat,wording,orboth,theapplicationofthenoticetotheparticularcontributionismadeclear.

Alternatively,aseparatenoticeforacontributiontoacollectiveworkmaybeacceptableifitclearlyappearsinjuxtapositionwithaseparatelistingofthecontributionbyfulltitleandauthorandislocatedeither:

• Onthepagebearingthenoticeforthecollectiveworkasawhole(ifany);or

• Inaclearlyidentifiedandreadilyaccessibletableofcontentsorlistingofacknowledgmentsappearingnearthefrontorbackofthecollectivework.



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Ifthecontributionisamusicalwork,anoticeisacceptableifitappearsinanyofthelocationsdiscussedaboveorifitislocatedonthefirstpageofmusicforthecontribution.37C.F.R.§201.20(f202.2(c)(6).

Ifacollectiveworkwaspubliclydistributedwithanoticeforthecollectiveworkasawhole—butwithoutaseparatenoticeforthecontributionstothatwork—thenoticecoversthecontributions,evenifthecopyrightownernamedinthenoticeisnotthecopyrightownerofthosecontributions(exceptforadvertisementsinsertedonbehalfofpersonsotherthantheownerofthecollectivework).

2207.3 Musical Works

2207.3(A) Musical Works Embodied in Copies

AsexplainedinSection2202.2,noticeisoptionalforworkspublishedonorafterMarch1,1989.Priortothatdate,anoticewasrequiredwhenaU.S.musicalworkwaspubliclydistributedinvisuallyperceptiblecopies,suchassheetmusicorlinernotes.Whenanoticeisincludedonacopyofamusicalwork,itisconsideredacceptableifitappearsinanyofthelocationsdescribedinSections2207.1(A)or2207.1(E)orifthenoticeappearsonthefirstpageofthemusic.37C.F.R.§201.20(d)(1)-(10202.2(c)(4)(i)-(x).

2207.3(B) Musical Works Embodied in Phonorecords

Anoticeisnotrequiredformusicalworkspublishedsolelyinphonorecords,becausephonorecordsarenotconsideredvisuallyperceptiblecopiesofsuchworks.

2207.4 Sound Recordings

AsexplainedinSection2202.2,noticeisoptionalforworkspublishedonorafterMarch1,1989.Priortothatdate,anoticewasrequiredwhenaU.S.soundrecordingwaspubliclydistributedonphonorecords,suchasanalbumorcassette.

Whenanoticeisincludedonaphonorecordthatcontainsasoundrecording,thenoticeisconsideredacceptableifitappearsanywhereonthesurfaceofthephonorecordorthephonorecordlabelorcontainer.17U.S.C.§402(c).Acontainerincludesthejackethousingadisc,ortheboxorjewelcasehousingacassetteorcompactdisc,butdoesnotincludeanoutermailingorpackagingbox,envelope,orotherwrapperintendedfordisposaloncethephonorecordisputintouse.

Ifthelabel(s)orcontainer(s)forthephonorecordidentifytheproducerofthesoundrecordingand“ifnoothernameappearsinconjunctionwiththenotice,theproducer’snameshallbeconsideredaspartofthenotice.”17U.S.C.§402(b)(3).

Example:

• AnapplicationnamesDoeRecordingCo.asauthorofthesoundrecordingpublishedpublishedin1981.Theworkmadeforhireboxischecked“yes.”Thefollowingnoticeappearsontheleftsideofthelabelona45rpmdisk:“Ⓟ“℗ 1981.”



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• Thefollowingstatementappearsontherightsideofthelabel:“DoeRecordingCompany,ProducedandarrangedbyJayJones.”

• Thefollowingstatementappearsalongthebottomofthelabel:“Mfg.byDoeRecordingCo.”

2207.5 Dramatic Works

2207.5(A) Dramatic Works Embodied in Copies

AsexplainedinSection2202.2,noticeisoptionalforworkspublishedonorafterMarch1,1989.Priortothatdate,anoticewasrequiredwhenaU.S.dramaticworkwaspubliclydistributedinvisuallyperceptiblecopies,suchasascript.Whenanoticeisincludedonacopyofadramaticwork,itisconsideredacceptableifitappearsinanyofthelocationsdescribedinSections2207.1(A)or2207.1(E)orifthenoticeappearsonthefirstpageofthework.

2207.5(B) Dramatic Works Embodied in Phonorecords

Anoticeisnotrequiredfordramaticworkspublishedsolelyinphonorecords,becausephonorecordsarenotconsideredvisuallyperceptiblecopiesofsuchworks.

2207.6 Motion Pictures and Other Audiovisual Works

Acceptablemethodsforaffixingandpositioningthenoticeonamotionpictureorotheraudiovisualworkinclude:

• Anoticethatisembodiedinthecopiesbyaphotomechanicalorelectronicprocess,insuchapositionthatitordinarilywouldappearwhenevertheworkisperformedinitsentirety,andthatislocated:

• withornearthetitle;

• withthecast,credits,andsimilarinformation;

• atorimmediatelyfollowingthebeginningofthework;or

• atorimmediatelyprecedingtheendofthework.

• Inthecaseofamotionpictureorotheraudiovisualworkthatisdistributedtothepublicforprivateuse,thenoticemaybeaffixed,inanyofthelocationslistedabove,oronthehousing,orcontainerifitisapermanentreceptacleforthework.

• Inthecaseofanuntitledmotionpictureorotheraudiovisualworkwhosedurationissixtysecondsorless,anoticeisacceptableifitappearsinanyofthelocationslistedaboveorifitisembodiedinthecopiesbyaphotomechanicalorelectronicprocessinsuchapositionthatitordinarilywouldappeartotheprojectionistorbroadcasterwhenpreparingtheworkforperformance,providedthatitislocatedontheleaderofthefilmortapeimmediatelyprecedingthebeginningofthework.



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37C.F.R.§201.20(h).

37C.F.R.§202.2(c)(8).

2207.7 Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works

Acceptablemethodsforaffixingandpositioningthenoticeonapictorial,graphic,orsculpturalworkinclude:

• Whereaworkisreproducedintwo-dimensionalcopies,anoticeisacceptableifitisaffixeddirectlyorbymeansofalabelcemented,sewn,orotherwiseattacheddurably,soastowithstandnormaluse,onthefrontorbackofthecopies,ortoanybacking,mounting,matting,framing,orothermaterialtowhichthecopiesaredurablyattached,soastowithstandnormaluse,orinwhichtheyarepermanentlyhoused.

• Whereaworkisreproducedinthree-dimensionalcopies,anoticeisacceptableifitisaffixeddirectlyorbymeansofalabelcemented,sewn,orotherwiseattacheddurably,soastowithstandnormaluse,toanyvisibleportionofthework,ortoanybase,mounting,framing,orothermaterialonwhichthecopiesaredurablyattached,soastowithstandnormaluse,orinwhichtheyarepermanentlyhoused.

37C.F.R.§201.20(i)(1)-(2).

37C.F.R.§202.2(c)(9)(i)-(ii).

2207.7(A) Works of Unusual Size or Characteristics

Ifitisimpossibleorextremelyimpracticaltoaffixanoticedirectlytothecopiesorbymeansofadurablelabelbecauseofthesizeorphysicalcharacteristicsofthematerialinwhichtheworkisreproduced,anoticeisacceptableifitappearsonatagthatisofdurablematerial,soastowithstandnormaluse,andifitisattachedtothecopywithsufficientdurabilitythatitwillremainwiththecopywhileitispassingthroughitsnormalchannelsofcommerce.37C.F.R.§201.20(i)(3202.2(c)(9)(iii).

2207.7(B) Works Consisting of Sheet-Like or Strip Material

Whereaworkisreproducedincopiesconsistingofsheet-likeorstripmaterialbearingmultipleorcontinuousreproductionsofthework,thenoticemaybeappliedto:

• Thereproductionitself;or

• Themargin,selvage,orreversesideofthematerialatfrequentandregularintervals;or

• Ifthematerialcontainsneitheraselvagenorareverseside,totagsorlabelsattachedtothecopiesandtoanyspools,reels,orcontainershousingtheminsucha

• waythatanoticeisvisiblewhilethecopiesarepassingthroughtheirnormalchannelsofcommerce.



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37C.F.R.§201.20(i)(4).

37C.F.R.§202.2(c)(9)(iv).

2207.7(C) Works with Separable Parts Published in a Permanent Container

Asageneralrule,whentheseparatecomponentpartsofaworkarepermanentlyhousedinacontainer,suchasagameorpuzzlebox,asingle,generalnoticereproducedonthepermanentcontainerisacceptableforthevisuallyperceptibleparts.37C.F.R.§201.20(i)(5202.2(c)(9)(v).

2207.7(D) Reversible Works

Inthecaseofamold,decal,orotherworkthatisthereverseoftheproductthatisintendedtoresultfromitsuse,anoticeisacceptableevenifitisprintedinreverse.

2207.7(E) Year of First Publication Omitted

Theyearofpublicationpublicationmaybeomittedfromanoticewhenapictorial,graphic,orsculpturalworkwithaccompanyingtext(ifany)isreproducedinorongreetingcards,postcards,stationery,jewelry,dolls,toys,orausefularticle.usefularticle.

NOTE:Alabelisnotconsideredausefularticleforthesepurposes.Textilesandfabricsareusefularticles,buttheydonotrequireayearofpublication.Whenacopyrightnoticeforatextileorafabriciscontainedonalabelaffixedtothetextileorfabricandtheyearofpublicationisomittedfromthenotice,thenoticeisacceptablewithrespecttothetextileorfabric.

2207.8 Multi-Part Works

Onenoticeperunitofpublicationisadequateformulti-partworks(e.g.,boxsets,multimediakits,score,andparts)publishedpublishedincopiesorphonorecords,providedthatapropernoticeisusedanditisaffixedinamannerandlocationthatgivesreasonablenoticeoftheclaimtocopyrightintheentireunitofpublication.

Althoughonenoticeperunitofpublicationislegallysufficient,placinganoticeoneachpartofamulti-partworkensuresthatthepublicisputonnoticethatthecopyrightownerhasassertedaclaimtocopyrightineachpartoftheunit.



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Examples:

• Anoticeonthefirstdiskofatwelvedisccollectionisacceptablefortheentirecollection,butanoticeonthesixthdiscofatwelvedisccollectionisonlyacceptableforthatdisc.

• Anoticeproperlypositionedonaunitconsistingofamusicalscoreandpartsisacceptablefortheentireunit,butanoticeonlyononeormoreofthepartsisacceptableonlyforthoseparts.

• Anoticeonthepermanentcontainerorboxforamultimediakitisacceptable.

2207.9 Works Published in Machine-Readable Copies

Forworkspublishedpublishedinmachinereadablecopies,suchassemiconductorchips,opticaldiscs,magnetictapes,orsimilarstoragemediathatcannotordinarilybeperceivedwithouttheaidofamachineordevice,anoticemaybeacceptableifitappearsinthefollowingmanner:

• Thenoticeisembodiedinvisuallyperceptibleprintoutsofthework,providedthatitappearseitherwithornearthetitleorattheendofthework.

• Thenoticeisdisplayedattheuser’sterminalatsign-on.

• Thenoticecontinuouslyappearsonaterminaldisplay.

• Thelegiblenoticeisreproduceddurably,soastowithstandnormaluse,onagummedorotherlabelsecurelyaffixedtothecopiesortoabox,reel,cartridge,cassette,orothercontainerusedasapermanentreceptacleforthecopies.

37C.F.R.§201.20(g).

37C.F.R.§202.2(c)(7).

NOTE:Worksthatrequiretheuseofamachineordevicetoopticallyenlargethework,suchasfilms,filmstrips,andworkspublishedinanyvarietyofmicrofilm,arenotconsideredmachine-readableworks.

2208 Government Works

ProtectionundertheCopyrightActisnotavailableforanyworkoftheUnitedStatesgovernment.However,ifaworkconsistsofbothaworkoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentandaworkprotectableundertheCopyrightAct,thenoticeshouldcontainastatementidentifyingthoseportionsofthecopiesorphonorecordthatdoordonotcontainwork(s)thatareprotectedundertheCopyrightAct.17U.S.C.§§105,403.

IftheworkwaspublishedpublishedonorafterMarch1,1989,theU.S.CopyrightOfficemayregistertheclaimevenifthisstatementdoesnotappearinthenotice.Bycontrast,



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iftheworkwaspublishedbetweenJanuary1,1978andFebruary28,1989,thefailuretoincludethisstatementmaybeconsideredanomissionofthenotice.

2209 General, Specific, and Restricted Notice

2209.1 General and Specific Notice

AgeneralnoticeisanoticethatcontainstheelementslistedinSections2204.1or2204.2(e.g.,©1981JohnDoe).Aspecificnoticeisanoticethatidentifiestheportionsorfeaturesoftheworkthatbelongtothecopyrightowner(e.g.,“Introductionandillustrations©1981PopularPublishingCo.”or“Arrangement©1981NewstyleMusicCo.”).

Ageneralnoticemaybeusedonaworkofauthorship,eveniftheclaimislimitedtoaspecificportionofthatwork,suchastheintroductiontoabiographyorthenewmaterialthatappearsinthesecondeditionofatextbook.

Iftheworkcontainsaspecificnoticethatidentifiesspecificaspectsofthework,theregistrationspecialistmaycommunicatewiththeapplicantifthoseaspectsarenotreflectedintheapplicationoriftheclaimisunclear.

2209.2 Restricted Notice

Arestrictednoticeisanoticethatcontainsastatementindicatingthatthenoticedoesnotcovercertainmaterialthatappearsinthework.

Example:

• “Copyright1980XYZPublisher,nocopyrightclaimedinillustration.”

Ifthenoticespecifiesonlythematerialthathasbeenexcludedfromtheclaim,theregistrationspecialistmayaddanannotationtotheregistrationrecord,suchas:“Regardingdeposit:inInnotice:[quotenoticethatappearsonthedepositcopy].”


Documents

COMPENDIUM Chapter 2200 Notice of Copyright