Copyright Office Institutes New Group Registration Procedure for Works on an Album
Issue No. 769 - May 20, 2019

The U.S. Copyright Office is proposing to create a new group registration option for musical works, sound recordings, and certain other works contained on an album. The proposed rule will expand the registration options currently available to register multiple musical works or sound recordings under one application by adding an option to be known as “Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music” or “GRAM.” In particular, this proposed group registration option will permit the registration of multiple musical works and/or sound recordings distributed together using a single electronic application, regardless whether such distribution occurs via physical or digital media. The Office proposes these changes to encourage broader participation in the registration system by reducing registration burdens on applicants, and seeks public comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The notice of proposed rulemaking and instructions on how to submit a comment are available here. Written comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking published on May 20, 2019 must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 19, 2019.