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b.
A claim of copyright by the U.S. Government in a published work is an indication that the work is a Government publication, but is not conclusive. If there is an indication of non-Government authorship, we will inquire as to the facts of authorship and the acquisition of the copyright by the Government.
c.
Where a work of private authorship was first published with notice of copyright in the name of a private person and was
later acquired by the Government, registration may be considered in the name of the original claimant and we will suggest recordation of the assignment to the Government.V.
Governments Other Than the United States.
a.
State governments.
Publications of State governments or of their local sub-divisions (counties, cities, school boards, housing authorities, etc.) do not fall within the prohibition of § 8. It should be noted, however, that public ordinances, court decisions and similar official legal documents of State and local governments are not considered copyrightable for reasons of public policy.b.
District of Columbia.
Publications of the government of the District of Columbia will be treated as publications of the U,S. Government.c.
Territories of the United States.
1.
Incorporated territories.
The governments of incorporated territories of the U.S. (e.g., Puerto Rico) may be comparable with State governments, though this is a matter of doubt. Their publications may be accepted for registration with a cautionary letter.2.
Unincorporated territories.
Publications of the governments of unincorporated territories of the U.S. (Guam, Panama Canal Zone, VirginIslands, Samoa) will be treated as publications of the U.S. Government.[1973]
