INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

NATIONAL LEGISLATION - USA

Copyright Laws and Regulations

Regulations: Title 37, Chapters I (Subchapter C) and II, Code of Federal
Regulations

37 C.F.R.� 202.21   Deposit of identifying material instead of copies.�

���     (a) General. Subject to the specific provisions of paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section, and to �� 202.19(e)(1)(iv) and 202.20(d)(1)(iv), in any case where the deposit of identifying material is permitted or required under � 202.19 or � 202.20 of these regulations for published or unpublished works, the material shall consist of photographic prints, transparencies, photostats, drawings, or similar two-dimensional reproductions or renderings of the work, in a form visually perceivable without the aid of a machine or device.� In the case of pictorial or graphic works, such material should reproduce the actual colors employed in the work.� In all other cases, such material may be in black and white or may consist of a reproduction of the actual colors.�

���     (b) Completeness; number of sets. � As many pieces of identifying material as are necessary to show the entire copyrightable content in the ordinary case, but in no case less than an adequate representation of such content, of the work for which deposit is being made, or for which registration is being sought shall be submitted. � Except in cases falling under the provisions of � 202.19(d)(2)(iii) or � 202.20(c)(2)(iii) with respect to holograms, only one set of such complete identifying material is required. �

���     (c) Size. Photographic transparencies must be at least 35mm in size and, if such transparencies are 3x3 inches or less, must be fixed in cardboard, plastic, or similar mounts to facilitate identification, handling, and storage.� The Copyright Office prefers that transparencies larger than 3x3 inches be mounted in a way that facilitates their handling and preservation, and reserves the right to require such mounting in particular cases.� All types of identifying material other than photographic transparencies must be not less than 3x3 inches and not more than 9x12 inches, but preferably 8x10 inches. Except in the case of transparencies, the image of the work must be either lifesize or larger, or if less than lifesize must be large enough to show clearly the entire copyrightable content of the work. �

���     (d) Title and dimensions.� At least one piece of identifying material must, on its front, back, or mount, indicate the title of the work; and the indication of an exact measurement of one or more dimensions of the work is preferred. �

���     (e) Copyright notice.� In the case of works published with notice of copyright, the notice and its position on the work must be clearly shown on at least one piece of identifying material.� Where necessary because of the size or position of the notice, a separate drawing or similar reproduction shall be submitted.� Such reproduction shall be no smaller than 33 inches and no larger than 912 inches, and shall show the exact appearance and content of the notice, and its specific position on the work.�

���     (f) For separate registration of an unpublished work that is fixed, or a published work that is published, only as embodied in a soundtrack that is an integral part of a motion picture, identifying material deposited in lieu of an actual copy of the motion picture shall consist of: �

        (1) A transcription of the entire work, or a reproduction of the entire work on a phonorecord; and�

        (2) Photographs or other reproductions from the motion picture showing the title of the motion picture, the soundtrack credits, and the copyright notice for the soundtrack, if any.�

        The provisions of paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section do not apply to identifying material deposited under this paragraph (f). �

���     (g)������

        (1) In the case of unpublished motion pictures (including transmission programs that have been fixed and transmitted to the public, but have not been published), identifying material deposited in lieu of an actual copy shall consist of either:�

        (i) An audio cassette or other phonorecord reproducing the entire soundtrack or other sound portion of the motion picture, and description of the motion picture; or�

        (ii) A set consisting of one frame enlargement or similar visual reproduction from each 10-minute segment of the motion picture, and a description of the motion picture.�

        (2) In either case the �description� may be a continuity, a pressbook, or a synopsis but in all cases it must include:�

���     (i) The title or continuing title of the work, and the episode title, if any; �

���     (ii) The nature and general content of the program;�

        (iii) The date when the work was first fixed and whether or not fixation was simultaneous with first transmission;�

���     (iv) The date of first transmission, if any;�

���     (v) The running time; and�

���     (vi) The credits appearing on the work, if any.�

        (3) The provisions of paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section do not apply to identifying material submitted under this paragraph (g). �

���     (h) In the case where the deposit copy or copies of a motion picture cannot be viewed for examining purposes on equipment in the Examining Division of the Copyright Office, the �description� required by � 202.20(c)(2)(ii) of these regulations may be a continuity, a press-book, a synopsis, or a final shooting script but in all cases must be sufficient to indicate the copyrightable material in the work and include �

���     (1) The continuing title of the work and the episode title, if any;�

���     (2) The nature and general content of the program and of its dialogue or narration, if any; �

���     (3) The running time; and �

���     (4) All credits appearing on the work including the copyright notice, if any.�

        The provisions of paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section do not apply to identifying material submitted under this paragraph (h). �

[51 FR 6409, Feb. 24, 1986] �

37 C.F.R. � 202.22   Acquisition and deposit of unpublished television transmission programs.�

���     (a) General. This section prescribes rules pertaining to the acquisition of copies of unpublished television transmission programs by the Library of Congress under section 407(e) of Title 17 of the United States Code, as amended by Pub. L. 94-553. It also prescribes rules pertaining to the use of such copies in the registration of claims to copyright, under section 408(b)(2). �

���     (b) Definitions.� For purposes of this section:�

        (1) The terms copies, fixed, publication, and transmission program and their variant forms, have the meanings given to them in section 101 of Title 17. � The term network station has the meaning given it in section 111(f) of Title 17.�

���     (2) Title 17 means Title of the United States Code, as amended by Pub. L. 94-553.�

���     (c) Off-the-air copying. ������������������

        (1) Library of Congress employees acting under the general authority of the Librarian of Congress may make a fixation of an unpublished television transmission program directly from a transmission to the public in the United States, in accordance with section 407(e)(1) and (4) of Title 17 of the United States Code.� The choice of programs selected for fixation shall be based on the Library of Congress acquisition policies in effect at the time of fixation.� Specific notice of an intent to copy a transmission program off-the-air will ordinarily not be given.� In general, the Library of Congress will seek to copy off-the-air a substantial portion of the programming transmitted by noncommercial educational broadcast stations as defined in section 397 of Title 47 of the United States Code, and will copy off-the-air selected programming transmitted by commercial broadcast stations, both network and independent.�

        (2) Upon written request addressed to the Chief, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division by a broadcast station or other owner of the right of transmission, the Library of Congress will inform the requestor whether a particular transmission program has been copied off-the-air by the Library.�

        (3) The Library of Congress will not knowingly copy off-the-air any unfixed or published television transmission program under the copying authority of section 407(e) of Title 17 of the United States Code.

        (4) The Library of Congress is entitled under this paragraph (c) to presume that a television program transmitted to the public in the United States by a noncommercial educational broadcast station as defined in section 397 of Title 47 of the United States Code has been fixed but not published. �

        (5) The presumption established by paragraph (c)(4) of this section may be overcome by written declaration and submission of appropriate documentary evidence to the Chief, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, either before or after off-the-air copying of the particular transmission program by the Library of Congress.� Such written submission shall contain:�

        (i) The identification, by title and time of broadcast, of the transmission program in question;�

        (ii) A brief statement declaring either that the program was not fixed or that it was published at the time of transmission;�

        (iii) If it is declared that the program was published at the time of transmission, a brief statement of the facts of publication, including the date and place thereof, the method of publication, the name of the owner of the right of first publication, and whether the work was published in the United States with notice of copyright; and �

        (iv) The actual handwritten signature of an officer or other duly authorized agent of the organization which transmitted the program in question.�

        (6) A declaration that the program was unfixed at the time of transmission shall be accepted by the Library of Congress, unless the Library can cite evidence to the contrary, and the off-the-air copy will either be �

���     (i) Erased; or�

        (ii) Retained, if requested by the owner of copyright or of any exclusive right, to satisfy the deposit provision of section 408 of Title 17 of the United States Code.�

        (7) If it is declared that the program was published at the time of transmission, the Library of Congress is entitled under this section to retain the copy to satisfy the deposit requirement of section 407(a) of title 17 of the United States Code.�

        (8) The Library of Congress in making fixations of unpublished transmission programs transmitted by commercial broadcast stations shall not do so without notifying the transmitting organization or its agent that such activity is taking place. � In the case of network stations, the notification will be sent to the particular network. � In the case of any other commercial broadcasting station, the notification will be sent to the particular broadcast station that has transmitted, or will transmit, the program.� Such notice shall, if possible, be given by the Library of Congress prior to the time of broadcast.� In every case, the Library of Congress shall transmit such notice no later than fourteen days after such fixation has occurred. Such notice shall contain: �

        (i) The identification, by title and time of broadcast, of the transmission program in question;

        (ii) A brief statement asserting the Library of Congress' belief that the transmission program has been, or will be by the date of transmission, fixed and is unpublished, together with language converting the notice to a demand for deposit under section 407 (a) and (b) of title 17 of the United States Code, if the transmission program has been published in the United States.�

        (9) The notice required by paragraph (c)(8) of this section shall not cover more than one transmission program except that the notice may cover up to thirteen episodes of one title if such episodes are generally scheduled to be broadcast at the same time period on a regular basis, or may cover all the episodes comprising the title if they are scheduled to be broadcast within a period of not more than two months.�

        (d) Demands for deposit of a television transmission program. �����

        (1) The Register of Copyrights may make a written demand upon the owner of the right of transmission in the United States to deposit a copy of a specific transmission program for the benefit of the Library of Congress under the authority of section 407(e)(2) of Title 17 of the United States Code.�

        (2) The Register of Copyrights is entitled to presume, unless clear evidence to the contrary is proffered, that the transmitting organization is the owner of the United States transmission right.�

���     (3) Notices of demand shall be in writing and shall contain:�

���     (i) The identification, by title and time of broadcast, of the work in question; �

        (ii) An explanation of the optional forms of compliance, including transfer of ownership of a copy to the Library, lending a copy to the Library for reproduction, or selling a copy to the Library at a price not to exceed the cost of reproducing and supplying the copy;�

        (iii) A ninety-day deadline by which time either compliance or a request for an extension of a request to adjust the scope of the demand or the method for fulfilling it shall have been received by the Register of Copyrights; �

���     (iv) A brief description of the controls which are placed on the copies' use; �

        (v) A statement concerning the Register's perception of the publication status of the program, together with language converting this demand to a demand for a deposit, under 17 U.S.C. 407 (a) and (c), if the recipient takes the position that the work is published; and�

        (vi) A statement that a compliance copy must be made and retained if the notice is received prior to transmission.�

        (4) With respect to paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, the sale of a copy in compliance with a demand of this nature shall be at a price not to exceed the cost to the Library of reproducing and supplying the copy. � The notice of demand should therefore inform the recipient of that cost and set that cost, plus reasonable shipping charges, as the maximum price for such a sale.

        (5) Copies transferred, lent, or sold under paragraph (d) of this section shall be of sound physical condition as described in Appendix A to this section. �

        (6) Special relief.� In the case of any demand made under paragraph (d) of this section the Register of Copyrights may, after consultation with other appropriate officials of the Library of Congress and upon such conditions as the Register may determine after such consultation,�

���     (i) Extend the time period provided in subparagraph (d)(3)(iii);�

���     (ii) Make adjustments in the scope of the demand; or�

        (iii) Make adjustments in the method of fulfilling the demand. � Any decision as to whether to allow such extension or adjustments shall be made by the Register of Copyrights after consultation with other appropriate officials of the Library of Congress and shall be made as reasonably warranted by the circumstances. � Requests for special relief under paragraph (d) of this section shall be made in writing to the Copyright Acquisitions Division, shall be signed by or on behalf of the owner of the right of transmission in the United States and shall set forth the specific reasons why the request shall be granted.�

���     (e) Disposition and use of copies. ������������������

        (1) All copies acquired under this section shall be maintained by the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division of the Library of Congress. � The Library may make one archival copy of a program which it has fixed under the provisions of section 407(e)(1) of Title 17 of the United States Code and paragraph (c) of this section. �

        (2) All copies acquired or made under this section, except copies of transmission programs consisting of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events, shall be subject to the restrictions concerning copying and access found in Library of Congress Regulation 818-17, Policies Governing the Use and Availability of Motion Pictures and Other Audiovisual Works in the Collections of the Library of Congress, or its successors. � Copies of transmission programs consisting of regularly scheduled newscasts or on-the-spot coverage of news events are subject to the provisions of the �American Television and Radio Archives Act� (section 170 of Title 2 of the United States Code) and such regulations as the Librarian of Congress shall prescribe.�

���     (f) Registration of claims to copyright. ��������������������

        (1) Copies fixed by the Library of Congress under the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section may be used as the deposit for copyright registration provided that:�

        (i) The application and fee, in a form acceptable for registration, is received by the Copyright Office not later than ninety days after transmission of the program, and�

        (ii) Correspondence received by the Copyright Office in the envelope containing the application and fee states that a fixation of the instant work was made by the Library of Congress and requests that the copy so fixed be used to satisfy the registration deposit provisions.�

        (2) Copies transferred, lent, or sold to the Library of Congress under the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section may be used as the deposit for copyright registration purposes only when the application and fee, in a form acceptable for registration, accompany, in the same container, the copy lent, transferred, or sold, and there is an explanation that the copy is intended to satisfy both the demand issued under section 407(e)(2) of Title 17 of the United States Code and the registration deposit provisions. �

���     (g) Agreements modifying the terms of this section. ����������������������������

        (1) The Library of Congress may, at its sole discretion, enter into an agreement whereby the provision of copies of unpublished television transmission programs on terms different from those contained in this section is authorized. �

���     (2) Any such agreement may be terminated without notice by the Library of Congress.�

[48 FR 37208, Aug. 17, 1983, as amended at 56 FR 7815, Feb. 26, 1991; 60 FR 34168, June 30, 1995] �

37 C.F.R. � 202.23   Full term retention of copyright deposits.�

���     (a) General.������������

        (1) This section prescribes conditions under which a request for full term retention, under the control of the Copyright Office, of copyright deposits (copies, phonorecords, or identifying material) of published works may be made and granted or denied pursuant to section 704(e) of Title 17 of the United States Code. Only copies, phonorecords, or identifying material deposited in connection with registration of a claim to copyright under Title 17 of the United States Code are within the provisions of this section. � Only the depositor or the copyright owner of record of the work identified by the copyright deposit, or a duly authorized agent of the depositor or copyright owner, may request full term retention.� A fee for this service is fixed by this section pursuant to section 708(a)(11) of Title 17 of the United States Code.�

        (2) For purposes of this section, under the control of the Copyright Office shall mean within the confines of Copyright Office buildings and under the control of Copyright Office employees, including retention in a Federal records center, but does not include transfer to the Library of Congress collections. �

        (3) For purposes of this section, full term retention means retention for a period of 75 years from the date of publication of the work identified by the particular copyright deposit which is retained.�

        (4) For purposes of this section, copyright deposit or its plural means the copy, phonorecord, or identifying material submitted to the Copyright Office in connection with a published work that is subsequently registered and made part of the records of the Office.�

���     (b) Form and content of request for full term retention -- �������������

        (1) Forms. The Copyright Office does not provide printed forms for the use of persons requesting full term retention of copyright deposits. �

        (2) Requests for full term retention must be made in writing addressed to the Chief, Information and Reference Division of the Copyright Office, and shall (i) be signed by or on behalf of the depositor or copyright owner of record, and (ii) clearly indicate that full term retention is desired. �

        (3) The request for full term retention must adequately identify the particular copyright deposit to be retained, preferably by including the title used in the registration application, the name of the depositor or copyright owner of record, the publication date, and, if registration was completed earlier, the registration number.

���     (c) Conditions under which requests will be granted or denied -- �������������������������

        (1) General. A request that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) will generally be granted if the copyright deposit for which full term retention is requested has been continuously in the custody of the Copyright Office and the Library of Congress has not, by the date of the request, selected the copyright deposit for its collections.�

        (2) Time of request.� The request for full term retention of a particular copyright deposit may be made at the time of deposit or at any time thereafter; however, the request will be granted only if at least one copy, phonorecord, or set of identifying material is in the custody of the Copyright Office at the time of the request. � Where the request is made concurrent with the initial deposit of the work for registration, the requestor must submit one copy or phonorecord more than the number specified in � 202.20 of 37 CFR for the particular work.�

        (3) One deposit retained.� The Copyright Office will retain no more than one copy, phonorecord, or set of identifying material for a given registered work.�

        (4) Denial of request for full term retention.� The Copyright Office reserves the right to deny the request for full term retention where:�

        (i) The excessive size, fragility, or weight of the deposit would, in the sole discretion of the Register of Copyrights, constitute an unreasonable storage burden. � The request may nevertheless be granted if, within 60 calendar days of the original denial of the request, the requestor pays the reasonable administrative costs, as fixed in the particular case by the Register of Copyrights, of preparing acceptable identifying materials for retention in lieu of the actual copyright deposit; �

        (ii) The Library of Congress has selected for its collections the single copyright deposit, or both, if two copies or phonorecords were deposited; or �

        (iii) Retention would result in a health or safety hazard, in the sole judgment of the Register of Copyrights.� The request may nevertheless be granted if, within 60 calendar days of the original denial of the request, the requestor pays the reasonable administrative costs, as fixed in the particular case by the Register of Copyrights of preparing acceptable identifying materials for retention in lieu of the actual copyright deposit.�

���     (d) Form of copyright deposit.� If full term retention is granted, the Copyright Office will retain under its control the particular copyright deposit used to make registration for the work. � Any deposit made on after September 19, 1978 shall satisfy the requirements of 37 CFR 202.20 and 202.21. �

���     (e) Fee for full term retention.����

        (1) Pursuant to section 708(a)(11) of title 17 of the United States Code, the Register of Copyrights has fixed the fee for full term retention at $365.00 for each copyright deposit granted full term retention. �

        (2) A check or money order in the amount of $365.00 payable to the Register of Copyrights, must be received in the Copyright Office within 60 calendar days from the date of mailing of the Copyright Office's notification to the requestor that full term retention has been granted for a particular copyright deposit.

        (3) The Copyright Office will issue a receipt acknowledging payment of the fee and identifying the copyright deposit for which full term retention has been granted.�

���     (f) Selection by Library of Congress -- ������������������������

        (1) General.� All published copyright deposits are available for selection by the Library of Congress until the Copyright Office has formally granted a request for full term retention. � Unless the requestor has deposited the additional copy or phonorecord specified by paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the Copyright Office will not process a request for full term retention submitted concurrent with a copyright registration application and deposit, until the Library of Congress has had a reasonable amount of time to make its selection determination.�

        (2) A request for full term retention made at the time of deposit of a published work does not affect the right of the Library to select one or both of the copyright deposits.�

        (3) If one copyright deposit is selected, the second deposit, if any, will be used for full term retention.�

        (4) If both copyright deposits are selected, or, in the case where the single deposit made is selected, full term retention will be granted only if the additional copy or phonorecord specified by paragraph (c)(2) was deposited. �

���     (g) Termination of full term storage.� Full term storage will cease 75 years after the date of publication of the work identified by the copyright deposit retained, and the copyright deposit will be disposed of in accordance with section 704, paragraphs (b) through (d), of Title 17 of the United States Code.�

[52 FR 28822, Aug. 4, 1987; 60 FR 34168, June 30, 1995; 63 FR 29137, 29139, May 28, 1998]�

37 C.F.R. APPENDIX A TO PART 202 -- TECHNICAL GUIDELINES REGARDING SOUND PHYSICAL CONDITION �

���     To be considered a copy �of sound physical condition� within the meaning of 37 CFR 202.22(d)(5), a copy shall conform to all the technical guidelines set out in this Appendix.�

���     A. Physical Condition. All portions of the copy that reproduce the transmission program must be:�

        1. Clean: Free from dirt, marks, spots, fungus, or other smudges, blotches, blemishes, or distortions; �

        2. Undamaged: Free from burns, blisters, tears, cuts, scratches, breaks, erasure, or other physical damage. The copies must also be free from:�

        (i) Any damage that interferes with performance from the tape or other reproduction, including physical damage resulting from earlier mechanical difficulties such as cassette jamming, breaks, tangles, or tape overflow; and�

        (ii) Any erasures, damage causing visual or audible defects or distortions or any material remaining from incomplete erasure of previously recorded works. �

        3. Unspliced: Free from splices in any part of the copy reproducing the transmission program, regardless of whether the splice involves the addition or deletion of material or is intended to repair a break or cut. �

        4. Undeteriorated: Free from any visual or aural deterioration resulting from aging or exposure to climatic, atmospheric, or other chemical or physical conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, electromagnetic fields, or radiation. The copy shall also be free from excessive brittleness or stretching, from any visible flaking of oxide from the tape base or other medium, and from other visible signs of physical deterioration or excessive wear.�

���     B. Physical Appurtenances of Deposit Copy.�

        1. Physical Housing of Video Tape Copy. (a) In the case of video tape reproduced for reel-to-reel performance, the deposit copy shall consist of reels of uniform size and length. The length of the reels will depend on both the size of the tape and its running time (the last reel may be shorter). (b) In the case of video tape reproduced for cassette, cartridge, or similar performance, the tape drive mechanism shall be fully operable and free from any mechanical defects.�

        2. �Leader� or Equivalent. The copy, whether housed in reels, cassettes, or cartridges, shall have a leader segment both preceding the beginning and following the end of the recording.�

���     C. Visual and Aural Quality of Copy:�

        1. Visual Quality. The copy should be equivalent to an evaluated first generation copy from an edited master tape and must reproduce a flawless and consistent electronic signal that meets industry standards for television screening. �

        2. Aural Quality. The sound channels or other portions must reproduce a flawless and consistent electronic signal without any audible defects. �

[48 FR 37209, Aug. 17, 1983; 60 FR 34168, June 30, 1995]�

Continuation: 37 C.F.R. APPENDIX B TO PART 202 -- �BEST EDITION� OF PUBLISHED COPYRIGHTED WORKS FOR THE COLLECTIONS OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS