The applicant should check the boxes that describe the authorship created by the author(s) named in the application that is owned by the individual(s) or entity(ies) who are named in the application as the copyright claimant(s). The applicant should not assert a claim in material created by authors who are not named in the application, material that is not owned by the copyright claimant, material that will not be submitted for registration, or material that does not appear in the work. Likewise, the applicant should not assert a claim in any material that is uncopyrightable or de minimis. For information concerning claims in uncopyrightable or de minimis material, see Sections 618.8(C) and 618.8(D).
Example:
- An application is submitted for a multimedia work that contains text, photographs, and artwork. The copyright claimant owns the copyright in the text, but does not own copyright in the other material that appears in the work. In the Author Created field the applicant should check the box for “text,” but should not check the boxes for “photograph(s)” or “2-D artwork.” Instead, the applicant should exclude that material from the claim using the procedure described in Section 621.8.
The applicant should check the boxes that identify the specific type of authorship that the applicant intends to register. For example, if the applicant intends to register a screenplay or a computer program, the applicant should check the boxes marked “script/screenplay” or “computer program,” rather than the boxes marked “editing” or “text.” Likewise, if the applicant intends to register an atlas or a necklace, the applicant should check the boxes marked “map” or “jewelry design,” rather than the boxes marked “sculpture” or “2-D artwork.”
If the terms provided in the checkboxes do not fully describe the copyrightable authorship that the applicant intends to register, the applicant should provide a more specific description in the “Other” field.
Examples:
- The applicant intends to register the introduction to a travel guide. The applicant may assert a claim to copyright in this authorship by checking the box marked “text” in the Author Created field or by stating “text of introduction” in the Author Created / Other field.
- The applicant intends to register a short story which was published on pages 59–77 of an anthology. The applicant may assert a claim to copyright in this authorship by checking the box marked “text” in the Author Created field or by stating “text of story appearing on pages 59–77” in the Author Created / Other field.
- The applicant intends to register a fabric design. The applicant may assert a claim to copyright in this authorship by checking the box
