Page:Compendium of US Copyright Office Practices (1973).pdf/22

2.4.2

Only Unpublished Works Registrable in Class C.

I.

Published works not registrable. Even though a work has been prepared in the first instance for oral delivery, it cannot be registered in Class C if publication has taken place before the application is submitted. A work of this type should be registered in Class A as a "book," if published with the required copyright notice.

Example:

The text of a speech by the president of General Motors, vhich is released to the press in mimeographed form on the morning of the day the speech is to be delivered.

II.

Later publication. When a work that has been registered in Class C is later published with notice, registration should be made as a "book" in Class A, even if the text is exactly the

same.

III.

No notice required. Since only unpublished works are registrable in Class C, no notice requirements pertain to this class.

2.4.3

Only Non-dramatic Textual Works Registrable in Class C.

I.

Dramatic material.

a.

If the work appears clearly to be a dramatic composition (that is, if it has a plot and contains dialogue and directions concerning the action or production) an application on

Form C will be questioned, and a new appli­cation on Form D will be suggested. (As to vhat constitutes a dramatic composition, see Part 2.5.)

b.

If the dramatic character of the work 1s

doubtful, or if the dramatic element is not the predominant feature of the work, the claimant's choice of Class C will be accepted without comment.

[1973]