Page:Compendium of US Copyright Office Practices (1973).pdf/345

Part 15.2 CERTIFICATIONS IN GENERAL

15.2.1

Certifying officer.

I.

Statutory provision. "There shall be appointed by the Librarian of Congress a Register of Copy­rights, and one Assistant Register of Copyrights, who shall have authority during the absence of the Register of Copyrights to attach the copy­right office seal to all papers issued from the said office and to sign such certificates and other papers as may be necessary." (17 U.S.C. § 202)

II.

Certification by the Register of Copyrights. Except during his "absence," all papers bearing the seal of the Copyright Office will be issued in the name of the Register of Copyrights.

a.

As a rule, certified documents issued in his name will bear a facsimile signature of the Register, affixed along with the Copyright Office seal by a person to whom the Register has delegated this authority.

b.

Specially-drawn certifications will bear the typewritten name and title of the Register, followed by the handwritten signature and typewritten name and title of the Assistant Register of Copyrights.

1.

If the Assistant Register is not avail­able to sign such a certification, the

document will be drawn for the personal signature of the Register.

2.

If neither the Register nor the Assistant Register is available to sign such a certification, the appropriate official to whom the Register has delegated this authority will do so.