Example:
- Ralph Carson submits a paper application on Form SR, but fails to sign the application on space 8. The registration specialist communicates with the applicant by email. If the applicant confirms that the information given on the application is correct, the specialist will insert Ralph’s name in the Certification field, and will add an annotation to the registration record, such as: “Regarding certification: certification affirmed by email with Ralph Carson on February 15, 2012.”
604.5 Placement of the Annotation
Annotations should be accurate, they should clearly identify information that was provided by the U.S. Copyright Office, they should cite the authority for any amendments or deletions that have been made, and they should identify the general topic or the specific field or space of the registration record that has been annotated (e.g., “Regarding Author Information,” “Regarding Limitation of Claim,” “Regarding Deposit,” etc.).
Annotations appear on the certificate of registration, generally under the heading “Copyright Office Notes.” They appear in the online public record under the heading “CO Annotation.”
604.6 Annotations Are Part of the Registration Record
An annotation is part of the registration record and a correct annotation generally will not be removed from the registration record once a registration has been made.
The U.S. Copyright Office will retain supporting documentation for an annotation (or amendment), such as an email, cover letter, fax, or note regarding a phone call. Both the certificate of registration and the online public record will indicate that correspondence relating to the claim is on file with the Office.
605 Communications Between the Applicant and the Registration Specialist
Communication between the U.S. Copyright Office and the applicant regarding an application may take many different forms. This Section describes the ways in which an applicant may communicate with the Office and the means by which the Office communicates with the applicant in the course of examining an application.
605.1 General Policies
Legal advice not provided. Communications involving the examination of an application should be limited to issues concerning registration and related matters. The U.S. Copyright Office’s staff will not offer legal opinions or advice on other matters, such as the rights of persons in connection with contracts, infringement disputes, or matters of a similar nature. 37 C.F.R. § 201.2(a)(3). Likewise, the Office’s staff will not offer or undertake to resolve disputes concerning conflicting claims to copyright. If there is a dispute between two or more parties involving a claim to copyright, it is the responsibility of each party to pursue their claims in an appropriate forum.
