- The requisite deposit copy(ies) of the work.
A general discussion of each of these elements is set forth in Sections 204.1 through 204.3 below. For detailed information on the practices and procedures for completing the application, see Chapter 600. For detailed information on the requirements for the filing fee, see Chapter 1400, Section 1403. For detailed information on the requirements for deposit copy(ies), see Chapter 1500.
204.1 Completed Application
An applicant must use the official applications provided by the U.S. Copyright Office. Most claims may be submitted online by using the Office’s electronic registration system. Applicants must submit paper applications for some specific types of claims, and in most cases, applicants may submit paper applications as an alternative to using the electronic registration system. Each type of application is discussed in Sections 204.1(A) and 204.1(B) below.
204.1(A) Online Application
The U.S. Copyright Office’s electronic registration system may be accessed from the Office’s website, located at www.copyright.gov/eco/.
The Office strongly encourages applicants to use the online application whenever possible. The benefits to filing an online application include:
- Lower filing fees for online applications: The filing fee for an online application is lower than the filing fee for a paper application. For a list of the current filing fees, see the Office’s fee schedule (www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html).
- Faster processing: The Office typically processes electronic claims three to six months sooner than non-electronic claims. Current processing times are listed on the Office’s website at www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-what.html#certificate.
- Multiple options for paying the filing fee: An applicant may pay the filing fee for an online application by credit card, debit card, electronic check, or with a U.S. Copyright Office deposit account, while in most cases an applicant may pay the filing fee for a paper application only by check, money order, or deposit account.
- Easier submission of the deposit copy(ies): For certain types of works, the applicant may upload deposit copy(ies) directly to the online system as an electronic file, instead of having to submit physical deposit copies through the mail. The Office lists the acceptable file types on its website at www.copyright.gov/eco/help-file-types.html. If the work is published in hard copy form, the applicant may be required to mail the best edition to the Office, but filing the application electronically will expedite processing.
