- An online application names “Mr. T” as the claimant for a sound recording. In the Note to Copyright Office field the applicant explains that the claimant’s full name is Terry Thompson Tipley. The registration specialist will add the claimant’s full name to the registration record and add an annotation, such as: “Regarding copyright claimant: claimant’s full name added by C.O. from Note to Copyright Office.”
- A paper application names “Mr. Robin and Ms. McCall” as co-authors and co-claimants for a bird watching guide. The registration materials do not contain any information concerning the claimants’ full names. The registration specialist will communicate with the applicant.
619.13(B) Initials
An application may be accepted if the applicant provides initials in lieu of the claimant’s full name, provided that the claimant is known to the public by those initials or provided that the claimant’s full name is clearly given elsewhere in the registration materials. If it is unclear whether the initials identify the claimant, the registration specialist may communicate with the applicant. If the claimant’s full name appears elsewhere in the registration materials, the specialist may add that information to the application with an annotation, such as: “Regarding copyright claimant: claimant’s full name added by Copyright Office from copy.”
Examples:
- An application is submitted for a technical manual published by the General Motors Corporation. The application names “GM” as the author and claimant. The application will be accepted.
- A publisher submits an application for a novel that names “J.K.J. Bowling” as the author and claimant. The application will be accepted.
- A paper application names “FIG” as the claimant. The cover letter explains that the claimant is currently doing business under the name “Fantastic Fruit Company,” that the claimant is planning to change its name to the “Fruit Is Good Company,” and that “FIG” will be used as the company’s trade name. Because it is unclear whether the initials identify the claimant to the public, the registration specialist will add the full name to the registration record, and add an annotation, such as: “Regarding copyright claimant: claimant’s full name added by Copyright Office from cover letter.”
619.13(C) Identifying the Author of a Pseudonymous Work as the Copyright Claimant
If the applicant intends to register a pseudonymous work, and if the author of that work is named as the copyright claimant, the applicant generally should provide the author’s legal name in the Name of Claimant field/space, even if the author is generally known by
