How to Effectively Use the Copyright Public Records System
This sixty-minute webinar highlighted the Copyright Public Record System's (CPRS) modern interface and features that can help users locate copyright public records successfully. Participants walked away knowing how to use CPRS’s simple and advanced search capabilities, which include flexible formatting; dynamic filters; and the ability to download, email, and share records. CPRS is the second component to be made publicly available as part of the Office’s new Enterprise Copyright System (ECS).
The legacy system that supports the existing Copyright Office Online Public Catalog will be decommissioned in summer 2025. CPRS will become the sole source of authoritative online copyright information on registrations and recordations by the end of June 2025.
Speakers:
- Denise Wofford, Assistant Register and Director, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office
- Shawn Gallagher, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office
- Robin Coreas, Program Analyst, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office
The Copyright Office aims to broaden public awareness of what the copyright system encompasses and how to participate. A cornerstone of our strategic plan is Copyright for All, and the Office dedicates itself to making the copyright system as understandable and accessible to as many members of the public as possible.
Resource Center
The presenters will provide these related links in the chat during the webinar. The Copyright Office website is the authoritative source for copyright information.
Copyright Public Records System: The Copyright Public Records System (CPRS) pilot is an easy-to-navigate, highly searchable database of U.S. Copyright Office public records. CPRS uses a more powerful search engine than the Copyright Public Catalog, provides easy filtering capability, and follows user-centered design principles in line with the Enterprise Copyright System (ECS).
Over One Million Card Catalog Records Digitized in Copyright Public Records System Pilot: This blog published in 2023 looks at the Copyright Office’s digitization efforts and explains how to read a registration application card.
Copyright Public Records System Help Page: The Copyright Public Records System offers simple and advanced searches. Explore the help page for more details about how each search functions.
Virtual Card Catalog (VCC): The U.S. Copyright Card Catalog provides an index to copyright registrations and other public records pertaining to ownership of copyrighted works. The Virtual Card Catalog (proof of concept) represents card records, displayed in JPEG images, from the U.S. Copyright Card Catalog collection.
CPRS Tutorials: The videos on this page will assist you when exploring the new Copyright Public Records System.
Learning Engine Video Series: The Learning Engine series of videos introduces copyright concepts and the Copyright Office to those who may be new to the topic or who want to learn more. More videos will be added in the future to this page and to our YouTube channel.
Contact the Copyright Office. You can submit an online contact form anytime. During business hours, you also can call the Public Information Office at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free).
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