Page:Copyright Office Compendium 3rd Edition - Full.djvu/902

, Third Edition • If the work is a motion picture, the date of creation is the date that filming began.

• If the work is a sound recording, the date of creation is the date that recording sessions began.

• If the work is a musical composition, the date of creation is the date that the author began to write down or record the music and/or lyrics.

• If the work is a literary work that is expected to be published in book form, the date of creation is the date that the actual writing of the text of the book began.

• If the work is a computer program, the date of creation is the date that the author began to write the code for the program.

• If the work is a videogame, the date of creation is the date that the author began to fix the visual aspects of the work.

• If the work is an advertising or marketing photograph, the date of creation is the date that the photograph was taken. If the applicant intends to preregister a group of photographs that are intended to be published together, the date of creation is the date that the author took the first photograph that will be included within the group.

The applicant should identify the date that the work is expected to be completed. Specifically, the applicant should provide the month and year that the work is expected to be fixed in the final form that is intended for commercial distribution. Identifying the specific day that the work is expected to be finished is encouraged, but not required. If the applicant cannot identify the expected date of completion, the applicant should provide a good faith estimate and check the box marked "Approximate."

If the work is substantially finished except for the final editing the applicant should provide the month and year that the final editing is expected to be complete. In the case of a motion picture, the applicant may provide the date when principal photography is expected to be completed.

The applicant should identify the date that the commercial distribution of the work is expected to begin. Specifically, the applicant should provide the year that copies or phonorecords of the work in its complete and finished form are expected to be distributed to the public. Identifying the month and day that copies or phonorecords of the work are expected to be distributed is encouraged, but not required. When an application for preregistration is submitted at an early stage of the creative process, the anticipated release date is at best a prediction, rather than a binding commitment. See Preregistration of Certain Unpublished Copyright Claims, 70 Fed. Reg. 61,905, 61,906 (Oct. 27, 2005). Therefore, if the applicant cannot identify the expected date of commercial distribution, the applicant should provide a good faith estimate and check the box marked "Approximate."

1606.6(B)

Expected Date of Completion

1606.6(C)

Expected Date of Commercial Distribution

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12/22/2014 Chapter _00 : 14