songs. The Office may communicate with the applicant to clarify whether Author C is, in fact, a joint author and owner of the musical play. If not, the songs by Author C must be registered separately.
804.8(B) Synopses
The Office frequently receives copyright applications to register brief synopses that summarize other works of authorship. When preparing an application to register such works, the applicant should assert a claim in the synopsis itself, but often applicants erroneously describe the work that is summarized in the synopsis [e.g., a television show].
If the synopsis contains sufficient copyrightable textual expression, but the applicant erroneously describes the author's contribution as a "dramatic work" or "script," the registration specialist will add an annotation to the record, such as: "Regarding authorship: Deposit contains synopsis only." If the synopsis contains sufficient textual expression, but the applicant erroneously describes the author's contribution as an idea, concept, or the like, the specialist will communicate with the applicant.
Where the synopsis is very short and/or merely amounts to an idea [e.g., "I have an idea for a television show that will feature famous guest stars"), the specialist will refuse registration if the authorship is insufficient to support a claim in a dramatic work or literary work. Where the work contains sufficient text to be copyrightable, but it is clear that the applicant is seeking to protect the idea, the specialist may add an annotation to the record, such as: "Regarding authorship: ideas not copyrightable. 17 U.S.C. 102(b]."
804.8(C) Redacted Screenplay for Motion Pictures in Production
The Office will consider requests for special relief allowing the applicant to submit a redacted version of a screenplay pending the publication of the motion picture under the following conditions:
• The motion picture must be in production [e.g., the filming has commenced],
• Infringement must be anticipated, and
• Release of the film must be imminent.
The applicant should submit a written request for special relief that explains how these conditions have been met. (For information concerning this procedure, see Chapter 1500, Section 1508.8.) The redacted copy must reveal at least half of the work, and the redaction must be done in such a way as to allow comparison and authentication with an unredacted copy of the work. If the work is approved for registration, the registration specialist may add an annotation to the record, such as: "Regarding deposit: special relief granted under 202.20(d) of CO. regulations."
In all cases, the applicant must submit a complete unredacted copy of exactly the same screenplay within ten business days after the release of the motion picture. If the complete unredacted copy of the screenplay is not submitted, the Office may cancel the
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