807.3(C)
807.3(D)
807.3(E)
807.3(E)(1)
807.3(E)(2)
(construing series of related images "to refer to any set of images displayed as some kind of unit"). A slide presentation created as a cohesive work, for instance, is a series of images, while a single slide or unorganized group of random slides is not.
Intrinsic Use of Machine or Device
A key element of an audiovisual work is that the images must be "intrinsically intended to be shown by the use of machines or devices." 17 U.S.C. § 101 (definition of "audiovisual works"). Such machines and devices include disc and video cassette players, electronic devices that play digital files, such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones, and machines with dedicated hardware, such as videogame consoles.
For example, a slide show or slide presentation qualifies as an audiovisual work, in part, because it requires a projector or computer to view the series of images as intended. By contrast, a series of photographs intended to be displayed together on a wall does not. See, e.g., Leadsinger, Inc. v. BMG Music Publishing., 512 F.3d 522, 528 (9th Cir. 2008) (concluding that a karaoke display is an audiovisual work because "the visual representation of successive portions of song lyrics" projected by the machine onto a television screen constitutes a series of related images and because a machine is required to display the lyrics on cue).
Single, Integrated Work
The authorship in an audiovisual work generally is considered a single, integrated work and must be registered as a whole, with the possible exception of a computer program or musical score that was not created with the intention of being part of the audiovisual work. For this reason, the individual elements of authorship in an audiovisual work generally cannot be registered as separate works.
Aural Authorship
An audiovisual work may, and often does, include aurally perceptible authorship in the form of recorded words, music, and sounds. Aurally perceptible authorship, however, is not a required element in a copyrightable audiovisual work.
Soundtrack
The term "soundtrack" refers to the accompanying sounds of an audiovisual work, which may include spoken text, sound effects, background music, or musical compositions. Generally, the soundtrack and the audiovisual work constitute a single, integrated work.
Physical Integration of Sounds
When sounds are present in an audiovisual work, they do not need to be physically integrated with the visual element in order to be considered "accompanying sounds."
Most contemporary audiovisual works contain physically integrated sounds. For example, the soundtrack of a motion picture or the sounds of a videogame are considered integrated sounds. By contrast, sounds are considered non-physically
Chapter 800 : 96
12/22/2014
