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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 free Adobe Acrobat Reader program.

No. Format Circular Title
 1 PDF, Text Copyright Basics
 1 Text Fundamentos del Derecho de Autor (Spanish version of Circular 1)
 1a Text United States Copyright Office A Brief History and Overview
 1b PDF, Text Limitations on Information Furnished by the Copyright Office
 1c PDF, Text Make Sure Your Application Will Be Acceptable
 2 PDF Publications on Copyright
 3 PDF, Text Copyright Notice
 4 PDF, Text Copyright Office Fees
 5 PDF, Text How to Open and Maintain a Copyright Office Deposit Account
 6 PDF, Text Obtaining Access to and Copies of Copyright Records and Deposits
 7b PDF, Text “Best Edition” of Published Copyrighted Works for the Collection of the Library of Congress
 7c PDF, Text Effects of not Replying within 120 Days to Copyright Office Correspondence
 7d PDF, Text Mandatory Deposit of Copies or Phonorecords for the Library of Congress
 8 PDF, Text Supplementary Copyright Registration
 9 PDF, Text Work-Made-For-Hire Under the 1976 Copyright Act
 10 PDF, Text Special Handling
 12 PDF Recordations of Transfers and Other Documents
 14 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Derivative Works
 15 PDF, Text Renewal of Copyright
 15a PDF, Text Duration of Copyright: Provisions of the Law Dealing with the Length of Copyright Protection
 15t PDF, Text Extension of Copyright Term
 21 PDF Reproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
 22 PDF, Text How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work
 23 PDF, Text Copyright Card Catalog and the Online File
 31 PDF, Text Ideas, Methods, or Systems
 32 PDF, Text Blanks Forms and Other Works Not Protected by Copyright
 33 PDF, Text Computing and Measuring Devices
 34 PDF, Text Copyright Protection Not Available for Names, Titles, or Short Phrases
 38a PDF International Copyright Relations of the United States
 38b PDF Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the URAA
 40 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Works of the Visual Arts
 40a PDF, Text Deposit Requirements for Registration of Claims to Copyright in Visual Arts Material
 41 PDF, Text Copyright Claims in Architectural Works
 44 PDF, Text Cartoons and Comic Strips
 45 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Motion Pictures Including Video Recordings
 50 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Musical Compositions
 55 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Multimedia Works
 56 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Sound Recordings
 56a PDF, Text Copyright Registration of Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings
 61 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Computer Programs
 62 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Serials
 62a PDF, Text Group Registration of Newspapers and Newsletters on Form G/DN
 64 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Secure Tests
 65 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Automated Databases
 66 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Online Works
 73 PDF, Text Compulsory License for Making and Distributing Phonorecords
 74a PDF, Text How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments via Wire
 74b PDF, Text How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments via ACH Credit
 74c

PDF, Text
Flash

How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments Using Pay.gov
 75 PDF, Text The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office
 92   (Please see Copyright Law page.)
 96   (Please see Copyright Regulations page.)
 100 PDF, Text Federal Statutory Protection for Mask Works
No. Format Factsheet Title
SL 4 PDF, Text Current Fees
SL 4a Text Interim Guidance: Reconsideration Procedures and Fees
SL 4d PDF Calculating Fees for Recordıng Documents in the Copyrıght Office
SL 4L PDF Copyright Office Licensing Division Fees
SL 7 PDF, Text Short Forms Available
SL 8 PDF, Text Fill-in Forms on the Copyright Office Website
SL 9 PDF, Text Have a Question about Copyright Registration?
SL 10 PDF, Text Get It Quick over the Net
SL 10a PDF, Text Subscribe to NewsNet
SL 15 Text New Terms for Copyright Protection
SL 30a PDF Changing Your Address with the Copyright Office
FL 100 Text International Copyright
FL 100 PDF Proteccion Internacional del Derecho De Autor
FL 101 Text Pseudonyms
FL 102 Text Fair Use
FL 103 Text Useful Articles 
FL 104 Text Contribution to Collective Work
FL 105 Text Music
FL 106 Text Poetry
FL 107 Text Photographs
FL 108 Text Games
FL 109 Text Books, Manuscripts, and Speeches
FL 115 Text Visual Arts
FL 119 Text Dramatic Works: Scripts, Pantomimes, and Choreography
FL 122 Text Recipes
FL 124 Text Group Registration of Published Photographs



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