Circular 58: Group Registration of Works on an Album

w 	copyright.gov
CIRCULAR
58
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 two group
registration options for registering multiple works published
on an album, also known as GRAM. One online group reg-
istration application may be used to register musical works
and another may be used to register sound recordings and
associated literary, pictorial, or graphic works.
An Album
To use this group registration option, all of the works must be
published on the same album. For the purposes of this reg-
istration option, an “album” is a single physical or electronic
unit of distribution containing either:
• 	at least two musical works embodied in phonorecord 2
;
or
• 	at least two sound recordings embodied in a phono-
record, including any associated literary, pictorial, or
graphic works that are distributed with this unit.
Examples of an album include:
• 	A physical LP, EP, or mixtape.
• 	A digital album offered for download, with or without a
corresponding physical album.
• 	A fixed playlist of tracks released to the public through
a streaming/downloading service on the same date.
note: In all cases, the works must be published within the
meaning of “publication” provided in 17 USC § 101.
This circular is an introduction to
the U.S. Copyright Office’s group
registration options for works on an
album of music. It covers
• 	The definition of an album
• 	Difference between a musical work
and sound recording
• 	Eligibility
• 	Completing the application
• 	Deposit requirements1
For background information on
musical works (also called musical
compositions) and sound recordings,
see Copyright Registration of Musical
Compositions and Sound Recordings
(Circular 56A).
Group Registration
of Works on an Album

Group Registration of Works on an Album	2
Distinguishing between a Musical Work and a Sound Recording
You will choose an application for group registration based on whether you are registering a group
of musical works (with or without lyrics) or a group of sound recordings. Musical works and sound
recordings cannot be registered together using this group registration option.
Musical works and sound recordings are considered two separate works for copyright purposes.
A registration for a musical work covers the musical composition and lyrics (if any), but it does not
cover a recorded performance of that music and/or lyrics. A sound recording is a fixation of a series
of particular musical, spoken, or other sounds. A copyright in a sound recording is not the same as,
or a substitute for, copyright in the underlying musical work.
For example, the song “Respect” and a recording of Aretha Franklin singing “Respect” are two dis-
tinct works. The song itself (i.e., the music and lyrics) is a musical work, and a recording of an artist
performing the song is a sound recording.
Associated Literary, Pictorial, or Graphic Works
Literary, pictorial, or graphic works distributed with the album, such as liner notes, photographs,
and artwork, may be registered with a group of at least two sound recordings if they meet the group
registration eligibility requirements discussed below. There is no limit on the number of photo-
graphs, artwork, or liner notes that may be included in the claim.
Group Registration Eligibility
You may register up to twenty musical works, or up to twenty sound recordings and any accompanying
literary, pictorial, or graphic works, if the following conditions are met:
• 	All of the works in the group must be contained on the same album.
• 	All of the works in the group must be created by the same author, or the works must have a
common joint author.
note: Works made for hire are eligible for this group registration option but must be identified in
the application. For general information, see Works Made for Hire (Circular 30).
• 	The copyright claimant or co-claimants for each work in the group must all be the same
person(s) or organization.
• 	Generally, all of the works must be first published on the same album and on the same date.
The nation of publication for each work must be the same, and the date and nation of publica-
tion must be specified in the application.
note: There is a limited exception to this rule. A musical work or sound recording that was
previously published as an individual work (such as a single release) may be included in the claim if
certain requirements are met.
• 	You must provide a title for the album and a title for each musical work or sound recording
claimed in the group.

Group Registration of Works on an Album	3
The group registration option is only available when all requirements set forth by Office regula-
tion are met. Otherwise, the Office may refuse the group application and you will need to reapply
with the appropriate applications, filing fees, and deposits.
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 works on an album covers the copyrightable authorship in each
work that is submitted, and each work is registered as a separate work. If any of the works are
uncopyrightable, the Office will refuse registration for those works and issue a registration for only
the copyrightable works in the group.
Completing the Group Registration Application
To register a claim in two or more works on an album, you must (1) complete either the Copyright
Office’s online application for “musical works from an album” or “sound recordings from an
album,” (2) submit a nonrefundable filing fee, and (3) provide an appropriate deposit. This circular
highlights issues common to registration of a group of works on an album. 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).
To access the application for each type of work, log into your eCO account. Click the link for “Reg-
ister Certain Groups of Published Works” under the heading “Other Registration Options” on the left
side of the home screen. Then from the drop-down menu on the “Type of Group” screen, select either
• “Musical Works from an Album” to register musical works (with or without lyrics): This application
can only be used to register musical works (with or without lyrics). It cannot be used to regis-
ter sound recordings or any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that were published on the
same album.
• “Sound Recordings from an Album” to register sound recordings: If you want to register sound
recordings you must submit the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album.”
This application may be used to register sound recordings as well as any photographs, artwork,
or liner notes that were first published on the same album. But it cannot be used to register
musical works (with or without lyrics).
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
copyright.gov/help.

Group Registration of Works on an Album	4
Mistakes in applications may lead to registration delays or refusals, so it is important to complete
the application accurately. The Office offers the following resources for applicants who use this
group registration option:
• 	FAQs. The Office has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about the group registra-
tion option for works on an album.
• 	Help Text. Instructions for completing the online applications for Musical Works from an Album
and Sound Recordings from an Album appear in the onscreen instructions and help text that
accompany each application.
• 	Video Tutorials. The Copyright Office offers a series of videos that provide step-by-step instruc-
tions for completing each application and submitting copies of your works.
The following tips can also help clarify common points of confusion.
Authors
• 	You must identify the author or every co-author of all of the works being registered.
• 	All of the works in the group being registered must be created by the same author or have a
common joint author.
» This requirement may be satisfied if all of the works were created by one author.
» If the works were co-created by two or more joint authors, then all of the works must have
a common joint author. This means that one of the authors must have contributed copy-
rightable authorship to each work in the group.
note: If you are registering sound recordings and any associated literary, pictorial, and graphic
works, all of the works in the group must be created by the same author or have a common joint
author. If some of the works were created by two or more authors, at least one of the authors must
have contributed copyrightable authorship to all of the sound recordings and any associated literary,
pictorial, or graphic works in the group.
For examples that illustrate these requirements see the Office’s FAQs.
Claimant
• 	All works in the group being registered must have the same person(s) or organization as the
claimant.
• 	The claimant may either be (1) the author of all of the works in the group being registered, or
(2) a person or organization that has obtained ownership of all of the exclusive rights initially
belonging to an author of all of the works in the group being registered.
• 	If a third party, such as a music publisher or record label, is named as claimant, you must
include a transfer statement that explains how that party obtained all of the exclusive rights
initially belonging to an author of all of the works in the group being registered.
• 	If a third party owns some, but not all, of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author
of all of the works in the group being registered, that party cannot be named as a copyright
claimant in a group registration application. Instead, that party’s ownership interest may be
may be reflected in the Copyright Office’s records by recording a copy of the document that

Group Registration of Works on an Album	5
transferred those rights to the third party. For information about recordation, see “Recorda-
tion of Transfers and Other Documents,” copyright.gov/recordation/documents/.
For examples that illustrate these requirements see the Office’s FAQs.
Publication
• 	Only published works can be registered using this group registration option.
• 	Generally, all of the works must be first published on the same album and on the same date,
except as discussed below.
Previously Published “Singles”: Note to Copyright Office
A musical work or a sound recording that was previously published as an individual work (such as a
single release) before being published on the album may be included in the claim so long as (1) the
single and the album track are exactly the same, (2) the single was first published in the same nation
as the album, and (3) you separately provide the first publication date of the single. Place the follow-
ing information into the “Note to Copyright Office” field:
• 	The title of the single;
• 	The complete date (MM/DD/YYYY) the single was first published; and
• 	A brief statement confirming that the work embodied in the single is exactly the same as the
work included in the album.
Titles
You must provide the title for the album and a separate title for each musical work or sound record-
ing in the group. You must also provide the track number that was assigned to each work when it
was published on the album.
Double check that each title and track number matches the file name of each musical work or
each sound recording that you upload. This step is important.
• 	If you do not provide a title and track number for a particular work, the Office may remove
the deposit from the registration record.
• 	If you provide a title and track number but do not submit a copy of that work, the Office may
remove the title and limit the registration to the works you submitted.
• 	If the titles and file names do not match, the Office may remove the mismatched work from
the record, communicate with you, or refuse the entire claim.
Example
Titles listed in the
application:
Album track number
listed in the application:
File names for the digital
audio files:
Birthday Party 	2 	02birthdayparty.mp3
Dinner Party 	4 	04dinnerparty.mp3
Wedding Party 	6 	06weddingparty.mp3

Group Registration of Works on an Album	6
If you plan to register photographs, artwork, or liner notes, the file names for those works should
identify the type of work you plan to submit. For example, if you want to register a photograph, the
word “photo” should be included in the file name. If you want to register artwork, the word “art-
work” should be included in the file name. If you plan to submit multiple items, then the file name
for each work should be appropriately labeled and numbered to distinguish them from each other,
such as “photo 1,” “photo 2,” “photo 3,” etc.
Deposit Requirements
You must provide an appropriate copy or copies of the works being registered. Whether you should
upload your works or send a physical copy of the entire album will depend on what you are register-
ing and how it was published.
Deposit Requirements for Musical Works
If you are registering a group of musical works, you are strongly encouraged to upload a digital copy
of each work being registered, regardless of whether the album was distributed in a digital or physi-
cal format. If you submit a physical copy, such as a CD or LP, there will be significant delays in the
examination of your claim.
Deposit Requirements for Sound Recordings and Any Associated Photographs, Artwork,
and Liner Notes
If you are registering a group of sound recordings and any associated photographs, artwork, and
liner notes, the deposit requirement will depend on how the album was published.
If the album was distributed solely in a digital format and was not distributed in a physical
format (such as a compact disc or vinyl record), then you may upload audio files that contain a sepa-
rate copy of each sound recording that you want to register. You may also upload a digital copy of
any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that are being registered.
If you are registering sound recordings published in a physical format album, such as a compact
disc or vinyl record, you generally must submit your works in the physical format, even if there is a
corresponding digital version. After completing the online application for Sound Recordings from an
Album, print a shipping slip from the bottom of the “Submit Your Work” screen, attach the shipping
slip to the deposit, and send the shipping slip and deposit in the same package to the address given
on the shipping slip.
If the album was first published in the United States, and if it was distributed in a physical format,
you must send two copies of the “best edition” that exists at the time of registration, including any
printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as photographs,
artwork, or liner notes appearing on the album cover). The “best edition” generally is the highest
quality edition that has been publicly distributed in the United States. For example, if the work was
published both on compact disc and vinyl record before the date you file your group registration
application, you should submit the compact disc rather than the vinyl record.
If the album was first published in a physical format in a foreign country (but was not published
in the United States), you must send one copy of the album that was published in the foreign coun-
try. If the album was first published in a foreign country and later published in the United States,
you may send one copy of the album that was first published overseas or one copy of the best edition
that was published in this country.

Group Registration of Works on an Album	7
Requirements for Digital Uploads
If you upload your works to the electronic registration system, each work must be contained in a
separate electronic file. As mentioned above, the file name for each work should match the corre-
sponding title and track number listed in the application. If the titles, track numbers, and file names
do not match, the Copyright Office may communicate with you, delaying examination of your
claim; remove the mismatched titles from the record; or refuse to register the claim.
Each work must be submitted in an acceptable file format. The list of acceptable formats is posted
on the Office’s website at copyright.gov/eco/help-file-types.html.
All of files must be uploaded as individual electronic files and each file must not exceed 500MB.
Do not submit all of your works in one ZIP file.
If you upload a digital copy of your works, do not generate a shipping slip on the deposit submis-
sion screen and DO NOT mail a physical copy of your works to the Copyright Office.
notes
1. This circular is intended as an overview of group registration of works on an album. The authorita-
tive source for U.S. copyright law is the Copyright Act, codified in Title 17 of the United States Code.
Copyright 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.
2. A phonorecord is a material object in which sounds are fixed and from which the sounds can be
communicated.

1 	U. S. Copyright Office · Library of Congress · 101 Independence Avenue SE · Washington, DC 20559 · copyright.govCIRCULAR 58 REVISED: 5/2023
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