Copyright Office Publications
The Copyright Office offers a wide array of informational publications free of charge. Below is only a selection of those which we think are most likely to be of value. They can be requested by number. The contact information for the Copyright Office is listed below.
We recommend that everyone at least get a copy of:
This publication will answer most questions you might have about U.S copyright law that isn't covered by our Copyright FAQ. The following publications may also be useful on a case-by-case basis:
- 2 Publications on Copyright
- 3 Copyright Notice
- 6 Obtaining Copies of Copyright Office Records and Deposits
- 7b "Best Edition" of Published Copyrighted Works for the Collections of the Library of Congress
- 7d Mandatory Deposit of Copies or Phonorecords for the Library of Congress
- 9 Works-Made-For-Hire Under the 1976 Copyright Act
- 12 Recordation of Transfers & Other Documents
- 14 Copyright Registration for Derivative Works
- 15 Renewal of Copyright (relevant only to works first published before 1977)
- 15a Duration of Copyright
- 21 Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians - a detailed discussion of "fair use" in the educational context.
- 22 How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work
- 23 The Copyright Card Catalog and the Online files of the Copyright Office
- 31 Ideas, Methods or Systems
- 32 Blanks Forms and Other Works Not Protected by Copyright
- 33 Computing and Measuring Devices
- 34 Names, Titles, Short Phrases not Copyrightable
- 38a International Copyright Relations of the United States
- 40 Copyright Registration for Works of the Visual Arts
- 40a Deposit Requirements for Registration of Claims to Copyright in Visual Arts Material
- 41 Copyright Claims in Architectural Works
- 44 Cartoons and Comic Strips
- 45 Copyright Registration For Motion Pictures Including Video Recordings
- 50 Copyright Registration for Musical Compositions
- 55 Copyright Registration for Multimedia Works
- 56 Copyright for Sound Recordings
- 56a Copyright Registration of Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings
- 61 Copyright Registration for Computer Programs
- 62 Copyright Registration for Serials on Form SE
- 63 Reproductions of Copyrighted Works for Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals
- 64 Copyright Registration for Secure Tests
- 65 Copyright Registration for Automated Databases
- 66 Copyright Registration for Online Works
- Form letter FL101 Pseudonyms
- Form letter FL102 Fair Use
- Form letter FL108 Games
- Form letter FL122 Recipes
Copyright Office Contact Information
Copyright forms and samples/deposits can be sent to:
Registrar of Copyrights
Washington, D.C. 20559
If you know the number of the forms you wish to order, you may contact the office 24/7 at (202)707-9100.
If you need to contact a Public Information Specialist at (202)287-8700, between 8:30am-5:00pm EST.
For more information, see the Copyright Office's website.
