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Information Circulars, Factsheets, and FLs

The circulars and factsheets below provide basic information about registration, fees, compulsory licenses, and other aspects of the copyright process. These circulars are also available through our Fax-on-Demand service.

Note: In order to view the PDF files below, your computer must be equipped with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 program or other software capable of reading PDF version 1.4 files.

No. Format Circular Title
 1 PDF, Text Copyright Basics
 1 Text Fundamentos del Derecho de Autor (Spanish version of Circular 1)
 1a Text United States Copyright Office A Brief History and Overview
 1b PDF, Text Limitations on Information Furnished by the Copyright Office
 1c PDF, Text Make Sure Your Application Will Be Acceptable
 2 PDF Publications on Copyright
 3 PDF, Text Copyright Notice
 4 PDF, Text Copyright Fees
 5 PDF, Text How to Open and Maintain a Deposit Account in the U.S. Copyright Office
  PDF Electronic Funds Transfer Now Available for Replenishment of Accounts
 6 PDF, Text Access to and Copies of Copyright Records and Deposit
 7b PDF, Text "Best Edition" of Published Copyrighted Works for the Collection of the Library of Congress
 7c PDF, Text Effects of not Replying within 120 Days to Copyright Office Correspondence
 7d PDF, Text Mandatory Deposit of Copies or Phonorecords for the Library of Congress
 8 PDF, Text Supplementary Copyright Registration
 9 PDF, Text Work-Made-For-Hire Under the 1976 Copyright Act
 10 PDF, Text Special Handling
 12 PDF, Text Recordations of Transfers and Other Documents
 14 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Derivative Works
 15 PDF, Text Renewal of Copyright
 15a PDF, Text Duration of Copyright: Provisions of the Law Dealing with the Length of Copyright Protection
 15t PDF, Text Extension of Copyright Term
 21 PDF Reproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
 22 PDF, Text How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work
 23 PDF, Text Copyright Card Catalog and the Online File
 31 PDF, Text Ideas, Methods, or Systems
 32 PDF, Text Blanks Forms and Other Works Not Protected by Copyright
 33 PDF, Text Computing and Measuring Devices
 34 PDF, Text Names, Titles, Short Phrases not Copyrightable
 38a PDF, Text International Copyright Relations of the United States
 38b PDF, Text Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the URAA
 40 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Works of the Visual Arts
 40a PDFText Deposit Requirements in Visual Arts Material
 41 PDF, Text Copyright Claims in Architectural Works
 44 PDF, Text Cartoons and Comic Strips
 45 PDF, Text Motions Pictures including Video Recordings
 50 PDF, Text Musical Compositions
 55 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Multimedia Works
 56 PDF, Text Copyright for Sound Recordings
 56a PDF, Text Copyright Registration of Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings
 61 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Computer Programs
 62 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Serials on Form SE
 62a PDF, Text Group Registration of Newspapers and Newsletters on Form G/DN
 64 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Secure Tests
 65 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Automated Databases
 66 PDF, Text Copyright Registration for Online Works
 73 PDF Compulsory License For Making and Distributing Phonorecords
 74 PDF How To Make Compulsory License Royalty Payments Via Electronic Transfer of Funds
 75 PDF The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office
 92   (Please see Copyright Law page.)
 96   (Please see Copyright Regulations page.)
 100 PDF, Text Federal Statutory Protection for Mask Works
No. Format Factsheet Title
SL 4 PDF, Text Current Fees
SL 4a PDF, Text Appeals Fees
SL 7 PDF, Text Short Forms Available
SL 8 PDF, Text Fill-in Forms
SL 9 PDF, Text Have a Question about Copyright Registration?
SL 10 PDF Get It Quick Over the Net
SL 30a PDF, Text Changing Your Address
SL 15 PDF, Text New Terms for Copyright Protection
FL 100 PDF, Text International Copyright
FL 100 PDF Proteccion Internacional del Derecho De Autor
FL 101 PDF, Text Pseudonyms
FL 102 PDF, Text Fair Use
FL 103 PDF, Text Useful Articles 
FL 104 PDF, Text Contribution to Collective Work
FL 105 PDF, Text Music
FL 106 PDF, Text Poetry
FL 107 PDF, Text Photographs
FL 108 PDF, Text Games
FL 109 PDF, Text Books, Manuscripts, and Speeches
FL 115 PDF, Text Visual Arts
FL 119 PDF, Text Dramatic Works: Scripts, Pantomimes & Choreography
FL 122 PDF, Text Recipes
FL 124 PDF Group Registration of Published Photographs



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