Circular 24: Group Registration of Unpublished Works

w 	copyright.gov
CIRCULAR
24
While the general rule for registration is to submit one
application, filing fee, and deposit for each work you want
to register, the U.S. Copyright Office has established a group
registration option for registering up to ten unpublished
works. This option is known as “GRUW,” which stands
for “Group Registration of Unpublished Works.” A work is
unpublished if no copies have been distributed to the public
and no copies have been offered to a group for further distri-
bution, public performance, or public display. To learn more
about publication, see chapter 1900 of The Compendium of
U.S. Copyright Office Practices (Third Edition).
note: The Office discontinued the registration accommoda-
tion known as “unpublished collections” on March 15, 2019.
note: The Office offers a separate group registration option
for registering up to 750 unpublished photographs. For infor-
mation concerning this option, see Copyright Registration of
Photographs (Circular 42).
Group Registration Eligibility
You may register up to ten unpublished works with the online
application for a “Group of Unpublished Works” if the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
• 	All works must be unpublished.
• 	All works must be created by the same author or joint
authors.
• 	All of the authors must be named as copyright claim-
ants for all of the works.
• 	You must identify the authorship that each author or
joint author contributed to the works, and the author-
ship statement for each author and each work must
match exactly.
This circular is an introduction to
the U.S. Copyright Office’s group
registration accommodation for
unpublished works. It covers
• 	Eligibility Requirements
• 	Registration Procedure
• 	Deposit Requirements1
Group Registration of
Unpublished Works

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	2
• 	You must provide a separate title for each individual work.
• 	Each work must be registered in the same administrative class (Work of the Performing Arts or
Sound Recording or Work of the Visual Arts or Literary Work).
• 	You must submit an electronic copy of each work. Each work must be contained in a separate
electronic file, the files must be assembled in an orderly form, and they must be uploaded to
the electronic registration system in an acceptable file format.
If you do not satisfy any of these conditions, the Office may refuse the group application and you
will need to reapply with the appropriate application(s), filing fee(s), and deposit(s).
The following works are not eligible for this group registration option. For more information, see
the referenced circulars and Compendium sections:
• 	Compilations, see chapter 500, section 508 of the Compendium.
• 	Collective works, see Multiple Works (Circular 34).
• 	Architectural works, see Copyright Registration of Architectural Works (Circular 41).
• 	Secure tests, see Copyright Registration of Secure Tests and Secure Test Items (Circular 64).
• 	Databases, see chapter 700, section 727 of the Compendium.
• 	Websites, see Copyright Registration of Websites and Website Content (Circular 66).
Sound Recordings and Recorded Works
Sound recordings often contain other separate copyrightable works, such as the music and lyrics
from a recorded song or the words of a recorded lecture or book. The copyright in a sound record-
ing covers the recording itself and is distinct from the copyright in the underlying work. For more
information, see Copyright Registration of Sound Recordings (Circular 56).
You may use the group registration option to register up to ten unpublished sound recordings
together with the unpublished musical work, literary work, or dramatic work embodied in each
recording if all of the following conditions have been met:
• 	The author/claimant for each sound recording and the work embodied in each recording must
be the same person or organization.
• 	Both works must be embodied in the same electronic audio file.
• 	When completing the online application, you must select “Sound Recording” on the Type of
Work screen.
Examination and Scope of a Group Registration
After the Office receives your application, filing fee, and deposit, it will examine each work in the
group to determine if it is copyrightable and to confirm that the legal and formal requirements for
registration have been met. If the Office determines that any of these requirements have not been
satisfied, it may refuse to register the entire claim.
A registration for a group of unpublished works covers the copyrightable authorship in each work
that is submitted, and each copyrightable work is registered as a separate work. If any of the works are

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	3
uncopyrightable, the Office will refuse registration for those works and issue a registration for only the
copyrightable works in the group.
How to Register a Group of Unpublished Works
To register a claim in two or more unpublished works, you must (1) complete the Copyright Office’s
online application for a “Group of Unpublished Works,” (2) submit a nonrefundable filing fee, and
(3) upload an electronic copy of each work in a separate electronic file. This circular highlights issues
common to registration of a group of unpublished works. For general registration information or
information on registering one work, see Copyright Registration (Circular 2).
note: Copyright Office fees are subject to change. For current fees, see Copyright Office Fees
(Circular 4), available on the Office’s website at www.copyright.gov or call the Office at (202) 707-
3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll free).
Completing the Group Registration Application
To access the application, log into your eCO account. Choose “Register a Group of Unpublished
Works” under the heading “Other Registration Options” on the left side of the home screen.
note: Applicants are responsible for choosing the correct form, so be sure to read all instructions
and the numerous warning messages before proceeding. Once you begin, the electronic registration
system is not able to determine whether you selected the correct form or whether your claim will be
registered. If you need help choosing the correct form, please visit the Copyright Office’s website at
www.copyright.gov/help.
Mistakes in applications may lead to registration delays or registration refusals, so it is important
to complete the application accurately. The Office offers the following resources for applicants who
use this group registration option:

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	4
• 	FAQs. The Office has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about the group registra-
tion option for unpublished works.
• 	Help Text. Instructions for completing the online application for a “Group of Unpublished
Works” appear in the onscreen instructions and help text that accompany the application.
• 	Video Tutorial. The Copyright Office offers a video that provides step-by-step instructions for
completing this application and uploading electronic copies of your works.
The following tips can also help clarify common points of confusion.
Type of Work: The Works Must Fit Within the Same Category
• 	To begin, select the type of work you are registering. There is a description for each option.
Read each description carefully because the questions in the application are based on the type
of work you select, and the authorship statement for each work must match exactly. If you
select the wrong option, you will need to start over or your registration may be refused.
• 	Unless you are registering one or more musical works together with one or more sound
recordings (see note below), all of the works must fit within one of the categories listed on the
“Type of Work” screen.
• 	If any of the works does not fit within the same category, you should prepare a separate appli-
cation for those works.
Examples:
• 	Gerry created three drawings, two paintings, and two illustrations. Gerry may register the
works with one group registration application by selecting “Work of the Visual Arts” on the
Type of Work screen.
• 	Peter wrote five essays, took two photos, and painted three watercolors. Peter may register the
works with two group registration applications: one for the essays by selecting “Literary Work”
and one for the photos and watercolors by selecting “Work of the Visual Arts.”
• 	Jeff created five poems and five videos. Poems are considered “literary works” and videos are
considered “motion pictures” or “audiovisual works.” Jeff may register the works with two
Important Note for Claims Involving Musical Works and/or Sound Recordings:
If you are only registering a group of musical works (such as music and/or lyrics) and if you
are not registering the recorded performance of each work, select “Work of the Performing Arts”
(regardless of whether the works are fixed in printed or audio form).
If you are only registering a group of “sound recordings” (such as the performance and/or
production authorship contained within a particular recording) select “Sound Recording.”
If you are registering both the musical works and the recorded performance of each work,
select “Sound Recording.” Please note, you may register both types of works with the same
application only if the author(s) or co-author(s) named in the application created both the
musical works and the recorded performance of those works.

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	5
group registration applications: one for the poems by selecting “Literary Work” and one for the
videos by selecting “Motion Picture/AV Work.”
• 	Mel wrote three original songs and created a music video for each song. Mel may register the
works with two group registration applications: one for the songs by selecting “Work of the
Performing Arts” and one for the music videos by selecting “Motion Picture/AV Work.”
• 	Sarah wrote the music and lyrics for six original songs. Sarah may register her music and lyrics
using one group registration application by selecting “Work of the Performing Arts.”
• 	Paulie wrote the music and lyrics for eight original songs, and recorded himself performing
each song in his apartment studio. Paulie wants to register his music and lyrics and the record-
ing of each song. He may register these works using one group registration application by
selecting “Sound Recording.”
• 	Trey wrote ten original songs and recorded each song in his apartment studio. He previously
registered the music and lyrics for each song. Now he wants to register the recorded perfor-
mance of each song. Trey may register the recordings of those songs using one group registra-
tion application by selecting “Sound Recording.”
• 	David took 100 photos and created ten collages that merge his photos with other artwork.
David may register the works by using two different group registration options: he will use
the application for a “group of unpublished photographs” to register the photographs and the
application for a “group of unpublished works” to register the collages and will select “Work of
the Visual Arts.”
Titles: Each Work Must Have a Title
Provide each title in the application on the “Title” screen and double check that each title matches
the file name of each work you upload. This step is important:
• 	If you do not provide a title for a particular work, the Office may remove the work from the
application and remove the deposit from the registration record.
• 	If you provide a title but do not upload an electronic copy of a work, the Office may remove
the title and limit the registration to the works you uploaded.
• 	If the titles and file names do not match, the Office may remove the mismatched titles from
the record, communicate with you, or refuse the entire claim.
Do not provide a “collection” title in the application. If you do, the Office will remove it. A title
for the entire group will be added automatically. The group title will consist of the first title listed
in the application followed by the phrase “and [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9] Other Unpublished Works”
(depending on how many titles you enter in the application).
Authorship: The Authorship Statement for Each Work Must Match Exactly
• 	Select the authorship statement from the drop down menu on the “Author/Claimant” screen
that best describes the works being registered.
• 	The authorship statement for all the works in the group must be exactly the same.
• 	If the works were created by two or more joint authors, the authorship statement for each joint
author must be exactly the same.

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	6
Examples:
• 	Jaakia and Monica co-wrote four songs. One of the songs contains only music; the rest contain
music and lyrics. Jaakia and Monica may register all four songs with one group registration
application by selecting “Work of the Performing Arts” on the “Type of Work” screen and select-
ing “unpublished musical works (with or without lyrics)” from the drop-down menu in the
“Author Created” field.
• 	Dembe wrote ten original songs and recorded each song in his home studio. He may register
the songs and the recordings of those songs with one group registration application by select-
ing “Sound Recording” on the “Type of Work” screen and selecting “unpublished sound record-
ings and musical works (with or without lyrics)” from the drop-down menu in the “Author
Created” field.
Author/Claimant: Same Authors, All Listed as Claimants
Every work in the group must be created or co-created by the same author(s). In all cases, the author
or co-authors must be named as the claimant or co-claimants for the works being registered, even if
the author(s) do not own all of the rights in those works.
Examples:
• 	Steve and Charlotte co-wrote the music and lyrics for three songs. They may register all three
songs with a group registration application naming themselves as co-authors of each work.
• 	Parvez and Samira co-wrote four songs. Samira wrote three other songs by herself. Parvez and
Samira may register the four songs they wrote together with one group application, naming
themselves as the co-authors of each song. Samira may register the three songs she wrote by
herself with a separate group registration application.
• 	Larry wrote the music and lyrics for ten original songs. He then made recordings of the songs
with the members of his band, “Larry, Don, and Hermione.” Larry may register the songs with
one application by selecting “Work of the Performing Arts” and naming himself as the author
and claimant of the “unpublished musical works (with or without lyrics).” He may register the
recordings with another application by selecting “Sound Recording” and naming himself, Don,
and Hermione as the co-authors and co-claimants of the “unpublished sound recordings.”
If a third party owns one or more of the exclusive rights in a particular work, that information
may be added to the Copyright Office’s records by recording a copy of the document that trans-
ferred those rights to the third party. For information about recordation, see “Recordation of Trans-
fers and Other Documents” at www.copyright.gov/recordation/documents/. Alternatively, the appli-
cant may register each work on an individual basis by submitting a separate Standard Application
that names the third party as the copyright claimant for each work (with an appropriate transfer
statement explaining how that party obtained ownership of all of the exclusive rights in that work).
Examples:
• 	Sandy hired Liana to design three logos for her new product. Liana transferred her copyright
to Sandy in a written agreement. Sandy may register the logos with a group registration appli-
cation by naming Liana as the author/claimant for each work. Then, Sandy may record the
transfer of copyright to reflect current ownership of the logos. If Sandy would prefer to name

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	7
herself as the copyright claimant, she should submit a separate Standard Application for each
logo, naming Liana as the author and Sandy as the copyright claimant by written agreement.
Deposit Requirements
To register a group of unpublished works, you must upload an electronic copy of each work.
Each work must be contained in a separate electronic file not exceeding 500 MB and each file
must be uploaded in an acceptable file format. The list of acceptable formats is posted on the
Office’s website at www.copyright.gov/eco/help-file-types.html. Do not submit all of the works in one
PDF file or the same ZIP file.
On the deposit submission screen, disregard the button marked “create shipping slip” and do not
mail a physical copy of your works to the Copyright Office. If you fail to upload an electronic copy
of your works, the Office will refuse your application and cannot return the physical copies.
Titles and File Names Must Match
The file name for each work uploaded should match the corresponding title listed in the application.
If the titles and file names do not match, the Copyright Office may communicate with you, delaying
examination of your claim, the Office may remove the mismatched titles from the record, or the
Office may refuse to register the claim.
Examples:
Annette intends to register three songs titled “The Birthday Party,” “The Dinner Party,” and “The
Wedding Party.” She plans to upload these songs in three separate mp3 files. The Office will accept:
Titles listed in the application: 	File names for the electronic copies of the works:
The Birthday Party 	The_birthday_party.mp3
The Dinner Party 	The_dinner_party.mp3
The Wedding Party 	The_wedding_party.mp3
The Office will not accept:
Titles listed in the application: 	File names for the electronic copies of the works:
The Birthday Party 	Grandmas_Turning_80.mp3
The Dinner Party 	The_dinner_party.mp3
The Wedding Party 	The_wedding_party.mp3

Group Registration of Unpublished Works	8
In the second situation, the Office will remove the title “The Birthday Party” from the application
and will remove the work “Grandmas_Turning_80.mp3” from the deposit. The Office will issue a
registration that covers the two remaining songs: “The Dinner Party” and “The Wedding Party.”
note
1. This circular is intended as an overview of copyright registration of a group of unpublished works.
The authoritative source for U.S. copyright law is the Copyright Act, codified in Title 17 of the United
States Code. Copyright Office regulations are codified in Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Copyright Office practices and procedures are summarized in the third edition of the Compendium
of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, cited as the Compendium. The copyright law, regulations, and the
Compendium are available on the Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov.

1 	U. S. Copyright Office · Library of Congress · 101 Independence Avenue SE · Washington, DC 20559 · copyright.gov
CIRCULAR 24 REVISED: 03 /2021 	PRINT: 00 /0000 — 0,000
For Further Information
By Internet
The copyright law, the Compendium, electronic registration, application forms, regulations,
and related materials are available on the Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov.
By Email
To send an email inquiry, click the Contact Us link on the Copyright Office website.
By Telephone
For general information, call the Copyright Public Information Office at (202) 707-3000 or
1-877-476-0778 (toll free). Staff members are on duty from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, eastern time,
Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. To request application forms or circulars by
postal mail, call (202) 707-9100 or 1-877-476-0778 and leave a recorded message.
By Regular Mail
Write to
Library of Congress
U.S. Copyright Office
Outreach and Education Section
101 Independence Avenue, SE #6304
Washington, DC 20559-6304