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Information Circulars and Factsheets

The circulars and factsheets below provide basic information about registration, fees, compulsory licenses, and other aspects of the copyright process.
Note: In order to view the PDF files below, your computer must be equipped with the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader program.

No.FormatCircular Title
 1PDFCopyright Basics
 1aTextUnited States Copyright Office A Brief History and Overview
 1bPDFLimitations on Information Furnished by the Copyright Office
 1cPDFMake Sure Your Application Will Be Acceptable
 2PDFPublications on Copyright
 3PDFCopyright Notice
 4PDFCopyright Office Fees
 5PDFHow to Open and Maintain a Copyright Office Deposit Account
 6PDFObtaining Access to and Copies of Copyright Records and Deposits
 7bPDF“Best Edition” of Published Copyrighted Works for the Collection of the Library of Congress
 7cPDFThe Effects of Not Sending a Timely Reply to Copyright Office Correspondence
 7dPDFMandatory Deposit of Copies or Phonorecords for the Library of Congress
 8PDFSupplementary Copyright Registration
 9PDFWork-Made-For-Hire Under the 1976 Copyright Act
 10PDFSpecial Handling
 12PDFRecordations of Transfers and Other Documents
 14PDFCopyright Registration for Derivative Works
 15PDFRenewal of Copyright
 15aPDFDuration of Copyright: Provisions of the Law Dealing with the Length of Copyright Protection
 15tPDFExtension of Copyright Term
 21PDFReproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
 22PDFHow to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work
 23PDFCopyright Card Catalog and the Online File
 31PDFIdeas, Methods, or Systems
 32PDFBlanks Forms and Other Works Not Protected by Copyright
 33PDFComputing and Measuring Devices
 34PDFCopyright Protection Not Available for Names, Titles, or Short Phrases
 38aPDFInternational Copyright Relations of the United States
 38bPDFHighlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the URAA
 40PDFCopyright Registration for Works of the Visual Arts
 40aPDFDeposit Requirements for Registration of Claims to Copyright in Visual Arts Material
 41PDFCopyright Claims in Architectural Works
 44PDFCartoons and Comic Strips
 45PDFCopyright Registration for Motion Pictures Including Video Recordings
 50PDFCopyright Registration for Musical Compositions
 55PDFCopyright Registration for Multimedia Works
 56PDFCopyright Registration for Sound Recordings
 56aPDF Copyright Registration of Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings
 61PDFCopyright Registration for Computer Programs
 62PDF Copyright Registration for a Single Serial Issue
 62aPDFGroup Registration of Newspapers and Newsletters on Form G/DN
 62bPDFCopyright Registration of a Group of Serial Issues
 64PDFCopyright Registration for Secure Tests
 65PDFCopyright Registration for Automated Databases
 66PDFCopyright Registration for Online Works
 73PDFCompulsory License for Making and Distributing Phonorecords
 74aPDFHow to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments via Wire
 74bPDFHow to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments via ACH Credit
 74c

PDF
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How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments Using Pay.gov
 75PDFThe Licensing Division of the Copyright Office
 92 (Please see Copyright Law page.)
 96 (Please see Copyright Regulations page.)
 100PDF Federal Statutory Protection for Mask Works
No.FormatFactsheet Title
SL 4PDFCurrent Fees
SL 4aPDFInterim Guidance Reconsideration
SL 4dPDFCalculating Fees for Recordıng Documents in the Copyrıght Office
SL 4iPDFProposed Fee Increase to take effect August 1, 2009
SL 4LPDFCopyright Office Licensing Division Fees
SL 9PDFHave a Question About Copyright Registration
SL 10PDFGet It Quick over the Net
SL 10aPDF, TextSubscribe to NewsNet
SL 15TextNew Terms for Copyright Protection
SL 30aPDFChanging Your Address with the Copyright Office
SL 35PDFOnline Copyright Registration
SL 37PDFPrivacy: Copyright Public Records
FL 100PDF, TextInternational Copyright
FL 100PDFProteccion Internacional del Derecho De Autor
FL 101PDF, TextPseudonyms
FL 102PDF, TextFair Use
FL 103PDF, TextUseful Articles 
FL 104PDF, TextContribution to Collective Work
FL 105PDF, TextMusic
FL 106PDF, TextPoetry
FL 107PDF, TextPhotographs
FL 108PDF, TextGames
FL 109PDF, TextBooks, Manuscripts, and Speeches
FL 110TextGroup Registration for Automated Databases
FL 115PDF, TextVisual Arts
FL 119PDF, TextDramatic Works: Scripts, Pantomimes, and Choreography
FL 122PDF, TextRecipes
FL 124PDF, TextGroup Registration of Published Photographs



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