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 Introduction to the Third Edition of the

The Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition (the “Compendium” or “Third Edition”) is the administrative manual of the Register of Copyrights concerning Title 17 of the United States Code and Chapter 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It provides instruction to agency staff regarding their statutory duties and provides expert guidance to copyright applicants, practitioners, scholars, the courts, and members of the general public regarding institutional practices and related principles of law. See 37 C.F.R. § 201.2(b)(7).

Effective Date of the Third Edition

The Compendium, Third Edition was released and became effective on December 22, 2014.

The Compendium, Third Edition is a living, electronic document accessible on the official website of the U.S. Copyright Office. The Office publishes regular revisions, as appropriate, to reflect changes in the law and/or practices, which customers may access, download, or print. The version posted on the Office’s website at any given time should be consulted as the current official version. The Office maintains an archive of all revisions so released, as well as prior versions.

Citing to the Compendium

The full title of this manual is the “Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition.” The full title may be abbreviated as the “Compendium.” The manual may be cited as follows:

Full citation:
 * , § 101 (3d ed. 2014).

Short form citation:
 * § 101.1(A).

What the Compendium Covers

The Compendium documents and explains the many technical requirements, regulations, and legal interpretations of the U.S. Copyright Office with a primary focus on the registration of copyright claims, documentation of copyright ownership, and recordation of copyright documents, including assignments and licenses. It describes the wide range of services that the Office provides for searching, accessing, and retrieving information located in its extensive collection of copyright records and the Introduction : 1