Applications and Filing Fees

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C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter 1400
Applications and Filing Fees
Contents
1401What This Chapter Covers ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1402Applications4
1402.1Statutory Basis for the Application ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
1402.2Statutory Requirements for Applications .......................................................................................................................................... 5
1402.3Registration Type Governs Which Application to Use ................................................................................................................. 6
1402.4Standard Applications ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
1402.4(A)The Online Application ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
1402.4(B)Paper Applications ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
1402.4(C)Multiple Types of Works.................................................................................................................................................................. 10
1402.5Single Applications ................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
1402.6Group Registration Applications ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
1402.6(A)Group Registration of Serials: Online Application / Form SE/Group .......................................................................... 10
1402.6(B)Group Registration of Daily Newspapers and Daily Newsletters: Form G/DN ....................................................... 11
1402.6(C)Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals: Form GR/CP ................................................................................ 11
1402.6(D)Group Registration of Published Photographs: Online Application / Form GR/PPh/CON................................ 12
1402.7Supplementary Registration Applications: Form CA ................................................................................................................. 12
1402.8Renewal Registration Applications: Form RE and RE/Addendum ..................................................................................... 14
1402.9GATT Registration Applications: Form GATT ............................................................................................................................... 15
1402.10Additional Information Regarding Paper Applications ......................................................................................................... 15
1402.10(A)Quality and Legibility of the Application ............................................................................................................................... 15
1402.10(B)Continuation Sheets: Form CON ................................................................................................................................................ 15
1403Filing Fees 15
1403.1Statutory Basis for Setting Filing Fees ............................................................................................................................................. 15
1403.2Where to Find Specific Filing Fee Information ............................................................................................................................. 16
1403.3Submitting Filing Fees............................................................................................................................................................................. 16
1403.4Acceptable Forms of Payment ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
1403.5Deposit Accounts ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
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1403.6Refunds 	17
1403.7Cancellation of Registration in Cases of Dishonored Checks ................................................................................................. 18
1403.8Special Handling Fees .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18
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C O M P E N D I U M : Chapter 1400
Applications and Filing Fees
1401 	What This Chapter Covers
This Chapter provides a general overview of the types of applications that may be used
to register a work of authorship created or first published on or after January 1, 1978. It
also discusses the filing fees for applying to register a work. For a detailed discussion of
the U.S. Copyright Office’s registration practices, see the following chapters:
• 	For information on how to complete an application for a basic registration, see
Chapter 600.
• 	For information on how to complete an application for a group registration, see
Chapter 1100.
• 	For information on how to complete an application to register a mask work or
vessel design, see Chapters 1200 and 1300.
• 	For information on how to complete an application for a preregistration, see
Chapter 1600.
• 	For information on how to complete an application for a supplementary
registration, see Chapter 1800.
• 	For information on how to complete an application for a renewal registration, see
Chapter 2100.
• 	For information concerning the deposit requirements, see Chapter 1500..
1402 	Applications
To seek a copyright registration for a work of authorship, an applicant must provide the
U.S. Copyright Office with a completed application, deposit copy(ies), and filing fee. This
Section discusses the different types of copyright applications.
1402.1 	Statutory Basis for the Application
The Copyright Act gives the Register of Copyrights the authority to create applications
and to specify administrative classes of works for registration. See 17 U.S.C. §§
408(c)(1), 409. Pursuant to this authority, the U.S. Copyright Office has created certain
administrative classes for purposes of registration, including literary works, works of
the performing arts, and works of the visual arts, among others. The Office has created
different versions of the online application and different paper forms for different
classes of works. Registration is administered by the Office’s Registration Program,
which includes three divisions: Literary, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Applications
are assigned to one of the Registration Program’s three divisions, depending on the
classification of the work.
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NOTE: The administrative classes are solely for administrative purposes, and they have
no bearing on the substantive subject matter of copyright or the exclusive rights
provided by the copyright law. See 17 U.S.C. § 408(c)(1).
1402.2 	Statutory Requirements for Applications
Section 409 of the Copyright Act states that “[t]he application for copyright registration
shall be made on a form prescribed by the Register of Copyrights.” 17 U.S.C. § 409.
Although the Register of Copyrights has been given discretion in how to organize and
establish the requirements for the Standard Application (which is discussed in Section
1402.4 below), Section 409 of the Copyright Act sets forth certain elements that must be
contained in this form:
1. 	The name and address of the copyright claimant;
2. 	In the case of a work other than an anonymous or pseudonymous work, the name
and nationality or domicile of the author or authors, and, if one or more of the
authors is dead, the dates of their deaths;
3. 	If the work is anonymous or pseudonymous, the nationality or domicile of the
author or authors;
4. 	In the case of a work made for hire, a statement to this effect;
5. 	If the copyright claimant is not the author, a brief statement of how the claimant
obtained ownership of the copyright;
6. 	The title of the work, together with any previous or alternative titles under which
the work can be identified;
7. 	The year in which creation of the work was completed;
8. 	If the work has been published, the date and nation of its first publication; and
9. 	In the case of a compilation or derivative work, an identification of any preexisting
work or works that it is based on or incorporates, and a brief, general statement of
the additional material covered by the copyright claim being registered.
17 U.S.C. § 409(1-9). The statute also allows the Register to request additional
information in the application process. Specifically, it grants the Register broad
authority to require “any other information [that] bear[s] upon the preparation or
identification of the work or the existence, ownership, or duration of the copyright.” Id. §
409(10).
The Office offers other applications that request some — but not all — of the
information listed in Section 409, such as the Single Application (which is discussed in
Section 1402.5). These specialized forms do not request all of the information listed in
Section 409, because in order to use these applications certain types of information
cannot be present in the claim. For example, an applicant cannot use the Single
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Application to register a work created by an individual author who transferred his or
her copyright to another party. Thus, there is no need to request “a brief statement of
how the claimant obtained ownership of the copyright” in this type of application.
Section 408(c)(1) of the Copyright Act authorizes the Register to establish an
administrative procedure for registering a group of related of works. Section 408(d)
authorizes the Register to establish a procedure for issuing a supplementary
registration to correct an error in an existing registration or to amplify the information
given in an existing registration. Congress gave the Register the discretion to develop an
appropriate application for these types of registrations. See 17 U.S.C. § 408(c)(1), (d).
The application requirements for the various group registration options that the U.S.
Copyright Office currently offers are discussed in Chapter 1100, while the application
requirements for a supplementary registration are discussed in Chapter 1800.
1402.3 	Registration Type Governs Which Application to Use
The U.S. Copyright Office currently offers the types of applications described below. An
applicant should choose an application based on whether he or she is seeking a basic
registration, a group registration, a supplementary registration, a renewal registration,
or a GATT registration. For a definition and discussion of each type of registration, see
Chapter 200, Section 202.1.
An application for a basic registration covers a work of authorship created or first
published on or after January 1, 1978. This type of registration may be obtained with
one of the following types of applications:
• 	Standard Applications. This type of application may be used to register the following
types of works:
- 	OneA single work.
- 	A collective work. The statute defines a collective work as “a work, such as a
periodical issue, anthology, or encyclopedia, in which a number of contributions,
constituting separate and independent works in themselves, are assembled into
a collective whole.” .
- 	Multiple unpublished works, provided that (i) the elements are assembled in an
orderly form, (ii) the combined elements bear a single title identifying the
collection as a whole, (iii) the copyright claimant in all the elements and in the
collection as a whole is the same, and (iv) all the elements are by the same
author or, if they are by different authors, at least one of the authors has
contributed copyrightable authorship to each element. For guidance in
completing an application to register an unpublished collection, see Chapter
1100, Section 1106.3.
- 	Multiple published works, provided that (i) they are owned by the same person
or organization, and (ii) they are physically bundled together for distribution to
the public as a single, integrated unit, and they are first published in that
integrated unit. This is known as the “unit of publication” option. For a
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definition of a “unit of publication” and a detailed discussion of this option, see
Chapter 1100, Section 1107.4.
• 	Single Application. This type of application may be used to register an individuala
single work (e.g., one poem, one song, one photograph) created by one
personindividual, provided that the copyright in the work is solely owned by the
author of that work and provided that the work is not a work made for hire.
NOTE: Single Applications are available only through the Office’s online filing system
and generally are easier to complete than the Standard Application.
• 	An application for a group registration is used to register a claim to copyright in a
group of related works, such as a group of serials, a group of daily newspapers, a
group of daily newsletters, a group of contributions to periodicals, a group of
published photographs, or a group of updates or revisions to a database. For
guidance on completing an application for a group registration, see Chapter 1100,
Sections 1109.7 (Serials), 1112 (Daily Newspapers and Daily Newsletters), 1115.7
(Contributions to Periodicals), 1116.6 (Published Photographs), and 1117.7
(Databases).
• 	An application for a supplementary registration may be used to correct errors or
amplify information in an existing registration that is incorrect or incomplete. For
guidance on completing this application, see Chapter 1800, Section 1802.8.
• 	An application for a renewal registration may be used to register a limited class of
works that were first published or initially registered prior to January 1, 1978. Prior
law required renewal registration for copyright owners to enjoy copyright
protection for the full allowable term for such works. For an extensive discussion on
renewal registrations, see Chapter 2100.
• 	An application for a GATT registration may be used to register a copyright claim in a
work that was restored under the 1994 Uruguay Round Agreements Act. For a
discussion of GATT registrations, see Chapter 2000, Section 2007.
1402.4 	Standard Applications
The U.S. Copyright Office offers two methods for filing Standard Applications: (i) via the
Office’s online registration system, or (ii) using traditional paper forms. The Office
strongly encourages applicants to use the online application instead of paper forms. It
takes less time for the Office to process online applications and the filing fees are lower.
This Section provides a brief overview of the online application and the paper
applications. For specific information on how to complete the various fields and spaces
in these applications, see Chapter 600.
1402.4(A) 	The Online Application
The U.S. Copyright Office’s online registration system allows applicants to input the
information necessary to apply for a basic registration. The online application contains
templates that provide different options depending on the information entered. The
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application process begins with determining the class of work that the applicant wishes
to register. These classes are listed under a drop down menu marked Type of Work and
include the following:
• 	Literary works include nondramatic literary works, such as fiction, nonfiction,
poetry, an individual article, a textbook, a reference work, a directory, a catalog,
advertising copy, a compilation of information, a computer program, a textual work
made available online, or a database.
• 	Works of the visual arts include pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, such as two-
dimensional or three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, or applied art,
photographs, prints, art reproductions, maps, technical drawings, or architectural
works, among others.
• 	Works of the performing arts include musical works (either with or without lyrics),
dramatic works (such as a screenplay, play, or other script), pantomimes, and
choreographic works.
• 	Sound recordings are works that contain sound recording authorship if the applicant
intends to register that element of the work (even if the work also contains other
types of authorship, such as music or lyrics). If the applicant does not intend to
register sound recording authorship, the applicant should not select this option
(even if the work happens to contain one or more sound recordings). Likewise, the
applicant should not select this option if the applicant intends to register the sounds
accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work.
NOTE: The Office only registers sound recordings that were fixed on or after
February 15, 1972. For information concerning this issue, see Chapter 800, Section
803.5(D).
• 	Motion picture/audiovisual works include feature films, documentary films,
animated films, television shows, videos, videogames, or other audiovisual works,
such as slide presentations. This category also applies if the applicant intends to
register the sounds that accompany a motion picture or other audiovisual work.
• 	Single serial issue refers to a single issue of a serial publication (e.g., a single issue of
a magazine, a single volume of a journal, etc.). This option does not cover individual
articles, which would properly be registered under the literary work category.
Registration for a group of serials or a group of contributions to a periodical is also
permissible. For a detailed discussion of these group registration options and their
eligibility requirements, see Chapter 1100, Sections 1109 and 1115.
1402.4(B) 	Paper Applications
While the U.S. Copyright Office prefers online applications, which are processed much
more quickly and efficiently, applicants still may use paper applications for most types
of registrations.
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• 	Form TX should be used for registering nondramatic literary works, such as fiction,
nonfiction, poetry, an individual article, a textbook, a reference work, a directory, a
catalog, advertising copy, a compilation of information, a computer program, textual
works made available online, or a database.
• 	Form VA should be used for registering pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works,
including two-dimensional or three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied
art, photographs, print or art reproductions, maps, technical drawings, or
architectural works.
• 	Form PA should be used to register musical works (either with or without lyrics),
dramatic works (such as a screenplay, play, or other script), pantomimes,
choreographic works, or audiovisual works, such as a feature films, documentary
films, animated films, television shows, videos, or videogames.
• 	Form SR must be used if the applicant intends to register any sound recording
authorship, even if the work contains additional types of authorship, such as music
or lyrics. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(2)(ii)(C) (“in any case where registration is sought
for a work consisting of or including a sound recording in which copyright is
claimed, the application shall be submitted on Form SR”). If the applicant does not
intend to register a sound recording, Form SR should not be used (even if the work
contains one or more sound recordings). The applicant should not use Form SR if
the applicant intends to register the sounds accompanying a motion picture or other
audiovisual work.
NOTE: The Office only registers sound recordings that were fixed on or after
February 15, 1972. For information concerning this issue, see Chapter 800, Section
803.5(D).
• 	Form SE should be used to register a single issue of a serial publication (e.g.,
magazines, journals). If the applicant intends to register an individual article, the
applicant should use Form TX instead of Form SE. For a detailed discussion of single
issue serials, see Chapter 700, Section 712. Registration for a group of serials or a
group of contributions to a periodical is also permissible. For a detailed discussion
of these group registration options and their eligibility requirements, see Chapter
1100, Sections 1109 and 1115.
• 	Form MW should be used to register a claim in a mask work that is fixed in a
semiconductor chip product by or under the authority of the owner of the mask
work. A mask work is a series of related images, however fixed or encoded, having
or representing the predetermined, three-dimensional pattern of metallic,
insulating, or semiconductor material present or removed from the layers of a
semiconductor chip product, and in which the relation of the images to one another
is such that each image has the pattern of the surface of one form of the
semiconductor chip product. For more information on mask works, see Chapter 1200.
• 	Form D-VH should be used to register a claim in a vessel design. These forms apply
only to water crafts that are designed and capable of (i) independently steering a
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course on or through water by themselves or via propulsion, and (ii) transporting
one or more passengers. For more information on vessel designs, see Chapter 1300.
1402.4(C) 	Multiple Types of Works
For both the online application and paper applications, an applicant may use one
application to register different types of authorship. For example, an applicant may
register a claim for a book that includes both text and photographs using one
application, under certain circumstances. In such a case, the applicant should select the
type of work or the paper application that corresponds to the predominant form of
authorship in that work. For instance, if the applicant intends to register a novel that
contains only a few photographs, the applicant should select Literary Work when
completing an online application, or should use Form TX when completing a paper
application. If the book mostly contains photographs with a small amount of text, the
applicant should select Work of the Visual Arts when completing an online application
or should use Form VA when completing a paper application. If the types of authorship
are roughly equal, the applicant may choose the type of work or the paper application
that would be appropriate for either type of authorship. The one exception is for a claim
that includes any sound recording authorship. In this case, the applicant must select
Sound Recording in the Type of Work field (in the case of an online application) or must
use Form SR (in the case of a paper application), regardless of whether sound recording
is the predominant form of authorship in the work. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(2)(ii)(C).
1402.5 	Single Applications
For works created by a single author who wishes to register one work that was not
created as a work made for hire, the U.S. Copyright Office developed a more simple
application that requires less information than the Standard Application. This
application is available only through the online registration system.
For guidance in determining whether an applicant is eligible to use the Single
Application, see Chapter 600, Section 609.1.
1402.6 	Group Registration Applications
As a general rule, applicants should file separate applications, deposit copy(ies), and
filing fees for each work they seek to register. In certain limited circumstances, there are
options available for registering groups of related works with one application, one filing
fee, and one set of deposit copies. In some cases, these group registration options have
specific application requirements, which are discussed below.
1402.6(A) 	Group Registration of Serials: Online Application / Form SE/Group
Serials are works issued, or intended to be issued, in successive parts bearing numerical
or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely and include but
are not limited to periodicals, newspapers, magazines, bulletins, newsletters, annuals,
blogs, journals, and proceedings of societies that are created as works made for hire.
In certain cases, an applicant may register a group of serials by using an online
application or a paper application submitted on Form SE/Group. For information
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concerning the registration requirements for this group registration option, see Chapter
1100, Sections 1109.2 through 1109.5. For guidance in completing an application to
register a group of serials, see Chapter 1100, Section 1109.7.
1402.6(B) 	Group Registration of Daily Newspapers and Daily Newsletters: Form G/DN
In certain cases, applicants may register a group of daily newspapers or a group of daily
newsletters by using a paper application submitted on Form G/DN. At present,
applicants may not use the online application to register a group of newspapers or
newsletters.
Newspapers are a specific type of serial mainly designed to be a primary source of
written information on current events (whether local, national, or international in
scope) that contain a broad range of news on all subjects and activities that are not
limited to any specific subject matter and are intended for the general public or a
particular group.
Newsletters are a specific type of serial that are published and distributed by mail or
electronic media at least two days per week and that contain information of interest
chiefly to a special group (including trade and professional associations, corporations,
schools, colleges, and churches). Newsletters generally are available by subscription and
are unavailable on newsstands.
For information concerning the registration requirements for these group registration
options, see Chapter 1100, Sections 1110 and 1111. For guidance in completing Form
G/DN, see Chapter 1100, Section 1112.
1402.6(C) 	Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals: Form GR/CP
In certain cases, applicants may register a group of works that were first published as
contributions to periodicals by submitting Form TX, VA, PA, or SR (depending on the
type of work), together with Form GR/CP. To do so. At present, applicants mustmay not
use the online application that is designated for this group registration option.
Applicants may not use a paper application to register this type of claima group of
contributions to periodicals.
For information concerning the registration requirements for this group registration
option, see Chapter 1100, Section 1115. For guidance in completing the online
application, see Chapter 1100, Section 1115.7.
NOTE: In exceptional cases, the U.S. Copyright Office may waive the online filing
requirement, subject to such conditions that the Associate Register of Copyrights and Director
of the Office of Registration Policy and Practice may impose on the applicant. An applicant
may submit a request to waive this requirement in writing. It should explain why the applicant
is unable to use the online application, and it should be sent to the following address:
Associate Register of Copyrights and
Director of Registration Policy & Practice
Registration Program
U.S. Copyright Office
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101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20559
See generally Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals, 82 Fed. Reg. 29,410 (June
29, 2017).
1402.6(D) 	Group Registration of Published Photographs: Online Application / Form
GR/PPh/CON
In certain cases, applicants may register a group of published photographs with one
application, one filing fee, and one set of deposit copies.
An applicant may register a group of photographs with the online application, provided
that the applicant contacts the Visual Arts Division at (202) 707-8202 to coordinate the
filing and to obtain proper guidance concerning the information that should be included
in the online application and the proper method for submitting the deposit copies. See
Registration of Claims to Copyright, 76 Fed. Reg. 4072, 4075 (Jan. 24, 2011).
In the alternative, an applicant may register a group of photographs with a paper
application submitted on Form VA. An applicant may use Form GR/PPh/CON to provide
titles, publication dates, and other identifying information for each photograph in the
group. Completing Form GR/PPh/CON is optional, although it does provide certain
advantages that are discussed in Chapter 1100, Section 1116.2.
For information concerning the registration requirements for this group registration
option, see Chapter 1100, Section 1116. For guidance in completing a paper application,
see Chapter 1100, Section 1116.6.
1402.7 	Supplementary Registration: Online Application / Applications: Form CA
Supplementary registrations correct or amplify the information that is set forth inon an
earlier registration. as follows:
• 	A correction is appropriate if certain information in a basic registration was
incorrect at the time that basic registration was made.
• 	An amplification is appropriate if the applicant intends (i) to add (i) certain
information that could have been given, but was omitted at the time of registration,
such as where a co-author is omitted; (ii) to identify changes in certain facts that
have occurred since the registration, such as a change in the title of the work; or (iii)
to provide explanations that clarify information given in the registration, such as
when a statement of authorship in the version being registered is not sufficiently
explicit on the original application.
An application for a supplementary registration is not appropriate: (i) if the work has
been revised, (ii) to reflect corrections have been made to statements appearing on the
copy(ies) or phonorecords of the work;; (iii) as a substitute for a renewal registration;
(iv) as a substitute for recording a transfer or other document pertaining to copyright
ownership; or except in certain circumstances (v) if a work was registered as
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unpublished but was actually published at the time of the basic registration. For
information concerning these issues, see Chapter 1800, Section 1802.7.
The U.S. Copyright OfficeSupplementary registrations may issue a supplementary
registration that corrects or amplifies the information in be used only with certain types
of registrations. As a general rule, any basic registration, group registration, renewal
registration, or GATT registration, may be the subject of a supplementary registration,
unless the registration has expired or unless it has the registration been cancelled or
abandoned.
As a general rule, the applicant must use the onlinea paper application submitted on
Form CA to correct or amplify a basic registrationapply for the following types of works:
• 	A literary work, such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoirs, textbooks, computer
programs, or other nondramatic textual works.
• 	A single issue of a serial publication, such as a periodical, magazine, newsletter, or
journal.
• 	A work of the visual arts, such as two-dimensional or three-dimensional works of
fine, graphic, or applied art, prints, art reproductions, maps, technical drawings, and
architectural works.
• 	A work of the performing arts, such as a musical work, dramatic work,
choreographic work, pantomime, motion picture, or other audiovisual work.
• 	A sound recording, such as an audiobook, a podcast, or a recording of a song.
See 37 C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(1).
Likewisea supplementary application. At present, applicants mustmay not use the
online application to correct or amplify the information appearing in the following types
of registrations:
Aseek a supplementary registration for a compilation, a collective work, or a derivative
work.
• 	A registration for an unpublished collection. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(4)(i)(B); 37
C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(1).
• 	A registration for a unit of publication. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(4)(i)(A); 37 C.F.R. §
202.6(e)(1).
• 	A registration for a group of serials. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(6); 37 C.F.R. §
202.6(e)(1).
• 	A registration for a group of newspapers or newsletters. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(7),
(9); 37 C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(1).
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• 	A registration for a group of contributions to periodicals. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.4(g); 37
C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(1).
By contrast, applicants must use a paper application submitted on Form CA to correct or
amplify the information appearing in the following types of registrations:
• 	A group registration for a database that does not predominantly consist of
photographs. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.3(b)(5); 37 C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(3).
• 	A GATT registration for a foreign work restored to copyright protection under the
Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.12; 37 C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(3).
• 	A renewal registration for a work registered or first published before January 1,
1978. See 37 C.F.R. § 202.17 ; 37 C.F.R. § 202.6(e)(3).
For more information on supplementary registrations, see Chapter 1800, Section 1802.
For guidance in completing the online application, see Chapter 1800, Section 1802.8(A).
For guidance in completing Form CA, see Chapter 1800, Section 1802.8(B)..
NOTE: In exceptional cases, the U.S. Copyright Office may waive the online filing
requirement discussed above, subject to such conditions that the Associate Register of
Copyrights and Director of the Office of Registration Policy and Practice may impose on the
applicant. An applicant may submit a request to waive this requirement in writing. It should
explain why the applicant is unable to use the online application, and it should be sent to the
following address:
Associate Register of Copyrights and
Director of Registration Policy & Practice
Registration Program
U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20559
See generally Supplementary Registration, 82 Fed. Reg. 27,424 (June 15, 2017);
Supplementary Registration, 81 Fed. Reg. 86,656 (Dec. 1, 2016).
1402.8 	Renewal Registration Applications: Form RE and RE/Addendum
The U.S. Copyright Office offers renewal registrations for works that were first
published or registered prior to 1978. The 1909 Act made works copyrighted in the
United States before January 1, 1978 subject to a renewal system whereby the term of
copyright was divided into two consecutive terms with separate registration
requirements. The current Copyright Act that came into effect on January 1, 1978
retained the renewal system for works that were copyrighted before 1978 and were still
in their first term on January 1, 1978. Renewal registration may still be obtained for pre-
1978 works in their renewal term. For an extensive discussion of registration of renewal
claims, see Chapter 2100.
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The Office provides paper application forms for renewal registration. Form RE is the
general renewal form, and Form RE / Addendum is required for works that were not
registered with the Office during their initial term. At present, applicants cannot file for
renewal registration using the online registration system.
1402.9 	GATT Registration Applications: Form GATT
Applicants may use Form GATT to register a copyright claim in a work that was restored
under the 1994 Uruguay Round Agreements Act (“URAA”), codified as Section 104A of
the Copyright Act. 17 U.S.C. § 104A.
• 	A single work.
For more information on GATT applications, see Chapter 2000, Section 2007.2.
1402.10 	Additional Information Regarding Paper Applications
When using a paper application, applicants should consider the issues discussed in
Sections 1402.10(A) and 1402.10(B).
1402.10(A) 	Quality and Legibility of the Application
A paper application becomes a permanent part of the U.S. Copyright Office’s official
records and must meet archival standards and be legible. Thus, applicants must use the
Office’s forms when submitting a paper application. Additionally, information required
by the application must be legible and should be typewritten or printed in black ink.
Applicants who anticipate filing a large number of applications may place certain
repetitive information on the applications they submit by using a printing process.
Applications completed in pencil or using carbon paper or the equivalent generally are
unacceptable.
1402.10(B) 	Continuation Sheets: Form CON
If an applicant needs more space when completing Forms CA, PA, SE, SR, TX, and VA, the
applicant should use Form CON to provide additional information.
1403 	Filing Fees
1403.1 	Statutory Basis for Setting Filing Fees
Since 1997, the U.S. Copyright Office has undertaken a series of studies to determine
what fees to charge for specific services relating to registration. The Office revisits its
schedule of fees approximately every three years, a process during which it seeks public
comment, adopts some fees, and makes recommendations for other fees to Congress.
The majority of the Office’s fee adjustments are guided by Section 708(b) of the
Copyright Act, which states that, before adjusting certain fees, the Register must conduct
a study of the Office’s costs for registering claims and must consider the timing of any
fee adjustments and the Office’s authority to use the fees consistent with the Office’s
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budget. Section 708(b) also states that the Register may, based on the results of the fee
study, adjust some fees “not more than necessary to cover the reasonable costs incurred
by the Copyright Office for … services … plus a reasonable inflation adjustment to
account for any estimated increase in costs.” Finally, Section 708(b) mandates that
certain fees “shall be fair and equitable and give due consideration to the objectives of
the copyright system.”
1403.2 	Where to Find Specific Filing Fee Information
The U.S. Copyright Office publishes its fee schedule in Section 201.3 of Title 37 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, and. The fee schedule also is posted on the Office’s website
at website.
1403.3 	Submitting Filing Fees
When filing claims via the U.S. Copyright Office’s online registration system, the
applicant will be prompted to provide payment on the Online Payment screen.
Applicants who submit paper applications should provide a deposit account number in
the appropriate space of the application or should submit the filing fees in the same
envelope or package with the application and deposit copy(ies). For more specific
information regarding deposit accounts, see Section 1403.5 below.
1403.4 	Acceptable Forms of Payment
The U.S. Copyright Office has issued regulations regarding acceptable forms of payment
for filing fees. See 37 C.F.R. § 201.6(a).
Applicants using the Office’s online registration system to file applications may pay fees
by making a secure payment by credit or debit card, electronic check, or U.S. Copyright
Office deposit account.
Applicants submitting paper applications may pay fees from a deposit account or by
using checks, money orders, or bank drafts payable to the U.S. Copyright Office..
Payment in cash may be made only in person at the Public Information Office.
Fees paid from a foreign country should be in the form of an international money order
or bank check payable and immediately negotiable in the United States for the full
amount of the fee required. All foreign checks or money orders must be redeemable
without a service or exchange fee through a U.S. institution, payable in U.S. dollars, and
imprinted with American Banking Association routing numbers. See id.
Postal money orders and international money orders that are negotiable only at a post
office are not acceptable. Uncertified checks are accepted subject to collection. Where
the statutory fee is submitted in the form of a check, the registration of the copyright
claim or other record made by the Office is provisional until payment is received.
Receipt of valid fees is very important because it affects the effective date and validity of
a registration. The effective date of registration will be the date the valid payment is
received, provided that the applicant satisfied the minimum requirements for an
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acceptable application and deposit copy(ies) as of that date. In the event the filing fee is
not paid, the registration or other record shall be expunged.
1403.5 	Deposit Accounts
The U.S. Copyright Office maintains a system of deposit accounts for the convenience of
those who frequently use the Office’s services. The system allows an individual or firm
to establish a deposit account with the Office and to make advance deposits into the
account. Charges for registration, recordation, or other fee services will be deducted
from the outstanding balance in such accounts. See 37 C.F.R § 201.6(b).
Only certain applicants may take advantage of deposit accounts. Specifically, a person or
entity must have twelve or more transactions a year with the Office before they may
prepay copyright expenses by establishing a deposit account. The Office and the deposit
account holder will cooperatively determine an appropriate minimum balance for the
deposit account (in no case less than $450), and the Office will automatically notify the
deposit account holder if the account falls below that balance.
Deposit account holders may take measures to protect against falling below the account
minimum. The holder may authorize the Office to automatically replenish the account
from the holder’s bank account or credit card in an amount determined by the deposit
account holder. Automatic replenishment will be triggered when the deposit account
falls below the minimum level of funding. The Office will notify the account holder when
its account will be replenished.
The Office will close a deposit account the second time an account holder overdraws the
account within any twelve-month period. An account closed for this reason can be
reopened only if the account holder agrees to fund the account through automatic
replenishment.
1403.6 	Refunds
The U.S. Copyright Office will not refund fees submitted for applications for basic,
supplementary, or renewal registration, including mask works and vessel designs, if the
Office refuses to register the claim because the material deposited does not constitute
copyrightable subject matter or because the claim is invalid for any other reason. The
Office willmay refund payments made by mistake or in excess of the fee, depending
upon the timing of the request or other factors, but amounts of $50 or less will not be
refunded unless specifically requested. See 37 C.F.R. § 201.6(c)(1). For example, the
Office may refund the filing fee for a duplicate submission if the applicant filed an online
application, and then immediately submitted another application to register the same
work because her computer crashed before she received an email acknowledging her
first submission. By contrast, if the applicant submitted an application for a
preregistration, a supplementary registration, or a renewal registration, the Office will
not refund the filing fee, even if she actually intended to file an application for a basic
registration.
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1403.7 	Cancellation of Registration in Cases of Dishonored Checks
When a check received in payment of the filing fee is returned to the U.S. Copyright
Office marked “insufficient funds” or is otherwise marked uncollectible, the Office may
cancel any registration for which the dishonored check was submitted. 37 C.F.R.
201.7(c)(2).
The Office will notify an applicant in writing if the check could not be collected. If the
filing fee is received within forty-five days from the date set forth in the notice, the Office
will issue a new certificate of registration. The effective date of registration for the new
certificate will be the date that the filing fee was received.
If the Office does not receive a filing fee within forty-five days, the Office will cancel the
registration. If the applicant would like to resubmit the work for registration, the
applicant should file a new application, together with new deposit copy(ies) and the
correct filing fee. In appropriate cases, the Office reserves the right to require a certified
check or money order, and in all cases, the effective date of registration will be based on
the date that the new submission is received by the Office.
For additional information concerning this procedure, see Chapter 1800, Section
18071806.4(B).
1403.8 	Special Handling Fees
The U.S. Copyright Office offers expedited handling of applications and documents, as
well as requests for searches, certifications, or other services. The Office charges an
additional fee for expedited services, called a special handling fee. The current fees for
these services are set forth in the Office’s regulations at 37 C.F.R. §201.3(d), and on its
fee schedule under the headings “Optionalheading “Special and “Other Service Fees.”).
For detailed information on these fees, see Chapter 600, Section 623.6 and Chapter
2400, Section 2411.3.
The special handling fee must be paid for each application, each document, or other
service for which expedited service is requested and granted. Once a request for special
handling has been granted, the special handling fee is not refundable, regardless of
whether the Office issues a certificate of registration or a certificate of recordation or
refuses to register or refuses to record the document.
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