Performing Arts

Register a Work of the Performing Arts

Group Registration for Unpublished Works (GRUW)

The Copyright Office has created a new group registration option for unpublished works. Read more.

Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music (GRAM)

The Copyright Office has created a new group registration option for musical works that are published on the same album. Read more.

In addition, the Office has created a separate group registration option for sound recordings, photos, artwork, and liner notes that are published on the same album. Read more.

Works of the performing arts are works that are intended to be performed for an audience. This category includes a wide variety of creative works, including music, lyrics, sound recordings, scripts, screenplays, choreography, motion pictures, video games, and similar types of works.

Statutory Definition

The Copyright Act states that performing a work “means to recite, render, play, dance, or act it, either directly or by means of any device or process or, in the case of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, to show its images in any sequence or to make the sounds accompanying it audible.” (17 U.S.C. § 101)

Resources

Video Tutorials

Other Services

Paper Applications
Group Options
Preregistration (Restrictions Apply – Not for Majority of Applicants)
Supplementary Registration
Update on Deposit Requirements