Copyright Office Adopts Final Rule Regarding Registration of Architectural Works
Issue No. 764 - April 23, 2019


The U.S. Copyright Office has issued a final rule regarding registration of architectural works, adopting in full a proposed rule following a period of public comment. This rule provides that, other than exceptional cases, applicants must submit their claims using the online Standard Application. The rule also encourages applicants to upload digital copies of their works through the electronic registration system, rather than submitting physical copies, and clarifies what aspects of the architectural plan must be visually perceptible from the deposit copies. Finally, the rule clarifies that applicants must provide a date of construction for a building only if the work was embodied in unpublished plans or drawings on or before December 1, 1990 and if the building was constructed before January 1, 2003. More information can be found here.