What You Need to Know About Copyright Registration: Sari Law Firm Copyright Series

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Guide to Group Registration of Unpublished Works

Are you looking to protect your original works through copyright registration? Our guide will assist you in understanding the process of group registration for unpublished works. This includes easy-to-follow steps and a variety of examples to clarify each type of work you can register.

Importance of Accurate Categorization

Firstly, it's crucial to correctly identify the category of your works. Each work in a group must fit within the same category. Different categories require separate applications. For example, poems fall under “Literary Works” and cartoons under “Works of the Visual Arts.”

Categories Explained

Literary Work

Definition: This category encompasses all forms of written, non-dramatic content.

Subcategories:

• Short Stories and Poems: For collections of fictional narratives and poetry. Example: Bill wants to register 8 short stories as “unpublished literary works.”

• Essays and Manuscripts: Academic papers, non-fiction essays, book manuscripts, and similar texts.Example: A historian wants to register a compilation of essays on medieval history.

• Computer Programs: Software codes, applications, or any computer-related scripts. Example: Elegance Designs, LLC registering 4 innovative computer programs.

Work of the Visual Arts

Definition: This category is for artistic works primarily visual in nature.

• Subcategories:

  • Paintings, Drawings, and Illustrations: Artistic pieces including digital artworks. Example: Andy registering 2 sketches as “unpublished pictorial works.”

  • Sculptures: Three-dimensional artistic works. Example: Joe wants to register 3 figurines under “unpublished sculptural works.”

  • Design Works: Includes jewelry, fabric, textile, wallpaper, and technical designs. Example: Model Design registering 6 fabric designs as “unpublished fabric designs.”

  • Other Artworks: Unique categories like holograms and carpet designs. Example: Jack registering 10 holograms as “Other unpublished 2D artworks.”

Work of the Performing Arts

Definition: This category includes works intended for performance.

• Subcategories:

  • Musical Works: Compositions with or without lyrics. Example: Smith wrote 10 songs, choosing “unpublished musical works” for registration.

  • Dramatic Works: Screenplays, plays, and scripts. Example: Angelina registering 3 screenplays under “unpublished dramatic works.”

  • Choreographic Works: Dance compositions and sequences. Example: Brad registering 3 modern dances as “unpublished choreographic works.”

Sound Recording

Definition: This category is designated for audio recordings.

• Subcategories:

  • Music Recordings: Recordings of songs or musical compositions. Example: John registering her performance of 10 songs as “unpublished sound recordings.”

  • Literary and Dramatic Recordings: Spoken word recordings, including recitations of literary or dramatic works. Example: Dan registering audio recordings of his 10 sermons as “unpublished sound recordings and literary works.”

  • Combined Works: Registering both the content and its recording. Example: Craig registering his 10 songs and their recordings as “unpublished sound recordings and musical works.”

Motion Picture/AV Work

Definition: This category covers audiovisual content.

• Subcategories:

  • Motion Pictures: Films and documentaries. Example: Darrel registering 3 videos as “unpublished motion pictures.”

  • Audiovisual Works: Television shows, animated features, videos, and videogames. Example: VIP Video, LLC registering 2 videogames as “unpublished audiovisual works.”

  • Scripts and Screenplays: Written works for films and TV shows. Example: Scarlett registering 3 unpublished screenplays as “unpublished scripts/screenplays.”

Key Notes

• Sound Recordings with Motion Pictures: Sounds accompanying motion pictures or audiovisual works are registered under "Motion Picture/AV", not as "Sound Recordings".

• Authorship and Claimant Consistency: For sound recordings and the musical work within, the author(s) and claimant(s) must be identical (same persons).

• Selection for Musical Works and Recordings: To register a musical work and its recording, select "Sound Recording".

Example: Emma's Song Registration

Situation: Emma plans to register four songs titled “Moonlight Serenade,” “Autumn Echoes,” “Summer Symphony,” and “Spring Waltz.” She intends to submit these songs in four separate .wav files.

Required Information and File Naming:

1. Titles Screen Information:

• Title of this work: Moonlight Serenade

• Title of this work: Autumn Echoes

• Title of this work: Summer Symphony

• Title of this work: Spring Waltz

1. File Naming for Submission:

• Moonlight_Serenade.wav

• Autumn_Echoes.wav

• Summer_Symphony.wav

• Spring_Waltz.wav

This structured approach in the registration process ensures each of Emma's songs is accurately identified and documented, facilitating a smooth and efficient copyright registration.

Conclusion

Properly categorizing and registering your original works ensures their protection under copyright law. Use our guide to accurately identify your work category and streamline your registration process.

Assistance and Contact Information - Sari Law Firm

If you have any further questions or need personalized guidance, our team at Sari Law Firm is here to assist you. We are dedicated to helping you navigate through the complexities of the registration process. For any additional assistance or specific inquiries, reach out to our law firm!