Motion Pictures Deposit Requirements

Submit a copy and a description of the work being registered. The nature of the copy and description may vary, depending upon the factors indicated below.

For All Published Motion Pictures

1. A separate description of the nature and general content of the work, for example, a shooting script, a synopsis, or a pressbook; and
2. One complete copy of the work. A copy is complete if it is undamaged and free of splices and defects that would interfere with viewing the work.

   For motion pictures first published in the U.S.:

   One complete copy of the best edition.

   For motion pictures first published abroad:

   One complete copy as first published or one copy of the best edition.

For Unpublished Motion Pictures

1. a separate description of the work and
2. a copy of the work containing all the visual and aural elements covered by the registration. An alternative deposit option is available for unpublished motion pictures. See 37 CFR 202.21 (g)(1).

Requirements for Motion Pictures That Cannot Be Viewed by the Copyright Office Staff

The Examining Division does not have equipment to view motion pictures in certain formats, including 1-inch open reel videotapes, D-2 and other digital videocassettes, and 8mm videocassettes. If you send one of these formats, please include the credits in the separate written description. If the work was first published before March 1, 1989, the Copyright Office must examine the work for the required copyright notice. In this case, please send the best edition copy and a copy that the Examining Division can view, for example, a 1/2-inch VHS videocassette.

For information on deposit requirements for works published before Jan. 1, 1978, and for special exceptions to the normal deposit requirements, please see Circular 45, Copyright Registration for Motion Pictures Including Video Recordings.