Page:Compendium of US Copyright Office Practices (1973).pdf/32

2.6.1

What are musical compositions. (cont'd)

II.

Evaluation of musical content. (cont'd)

a.

(cont'd)

Examples:

b.

In determining whether a work is a "musical composition" or purposes or copyright registration, the usual standards of musical criticism have no application. The presence of notes does not necessarily presuppose the existence of a tune or of any relationship to a particular mode or key.

c.

To support a registration in Class E, a work of music must represent creative authorship.

[1973]