U.S. Copyright Office
Library of Congress
Home About News Publications Forms Law Licensing Registration Search Records

Information Circulars and Factsheets

The circulars and factsheets below provide basic information about registration, fees, compulsory licenses, and other aspects of the copyright process.

Note: In order to view the PDF files below, your computer must be equipped with the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader program.

No. Format Circular Title
 1 PDF Copyright Basics
 1 PDF Fundamentos de los Derechos de Autor
 1a Text United States Copyright Office A Brief History Introduction
 1b PDF Limitations on the Information Furnished by the Copyright Office
 1c PDF Make Sure Your Application Will Be Acceptable
 2 PDF Publications on Copyright
 3 PDF Copyright Notice
 4 PDF Copyright Office Fees
 5 PDF How to Open and Maintain a Copyright Office Deposit Account
 6 PDF Obtaining Access to and Copies of Copyright Records and Deposits
 7b PDF “Best Edition” of Published Copyrighted Works for the Collections of the Library of Congress
 7c PDF The Effects of Not Sending a Timely Reply to Copyright Office Correspondence
 7d PDF Mandatory Deposit of Copies or Phonorecords for the Library of Congress
 8 PDF Supplementary Copyright Registration
 9 PDF Work Made For Hire Under the 1976 Copyright Act
 10 PDF Special Handling
 12 PDF Recordations of Transfers and Other Documents
 14 PDF Copyright Registration for Derivative Works
 15 PDF Renewal of Copyright
 15a PDF Duration of Copyright
 15t PDF Extension of Copyright Terms
 21 PDF Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
 22 PDF How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work
 23 PDF The Copyright Card Catalog and the Online Files of the Copyright Office
 31 PDF Ideas, Methods, or Systems
 32 PDF Blanks Forms and Other Works Not Protected by Copyright
 33 PDF Computing and Measuring Devices
 34 PDF Copyright Protection Not Available for Names, Titles, or Short Phrases
 38a PDF International Copyright Relations of the United States
 38b PDF Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the URAA
 40 PDF Copyright Registration for Works of the Visual Arts
 40a PDF Deposit Requirements for Registration of Claims to Copyright in Visual Arts Material
 41 PDF Copyright Claims in Architectural Works
 44 PDF Cartoons and Comic Strips
 45 PDF Copyright Registration for Motion Pictures Including Video Recordings
 50 PDF Copyright Registration for Musical Compositions
 55 PDF Copyright Registration for Multimedia Works
 56 PDF Copyright Registration for Sound Recordings
 56a PDF Copyright Registration of Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings
 61 PDF Copyright Registration for Computer Programs
 62 PDF Copyright Registration for Single Serial Issues
 62a PDF Group Registration of Newspapers and Newsletters on Form G/DN
 62b PDF Copyright Registration for Group of Serial Issues
 64 PDF Copyright Registration for Secure Tests
 65 PDF Copyright Registration for Automated Databases
 66 PDF Copyright Registration for Online Works
 73 PDF Compulsory License for Making and Distributing Phonorecords
 74a PDF How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments via Wire
 74b PDF How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments via ACH Credit
 74c

PDF, Flash

How to Make Statutory License Royalty EFT Payments Using Pay.gov
 75 PDF The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office
 92   (Please see Copyright Law page.)
  100 PDF Federal Statutory Protection for Mask Works
No. Format Factsheet Title
SL 4 PDF Copyright Office Fees
SL 4a PDF Reconsideration of a Refusal to Register a Copyright, Mask Work, or Vessel Hull Claim
SL 4d PDF Calculating Fees for Recordıng Documents in the Copyrıght Office
SL 4L PDF Copyright Office Licensing Division Service Fees
SL 6a PDF Placing an Order with the Records Research and Certification Section
SL8 PDF Fill-In Forms on the Copyright Office Website
SL 9 PDF Have a Question About Copyright Registration?
SL 9a PDF Call the Copyright Office Toll Free 1-877-476-0778
SL 10 PDF Get It Quick over the Net
SL 10a PDF, Text Subscribe to NewsNet
SL 30a PDF Changing Your Address with the Copyright Office
SL 35 PDF Registering a Copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office
SL 37 PDF Privacy: Copyright Public Records
SL 39 PDF Electronic Registration of Groups of Published Photographs
FL 100 Text International Copyright
FL 100 Text Proteccion Internacional del Derecho De Autor
FL 101 Text Pseudonyms
FL 102 Text Fair Use
FL 103 Text Useful Articles 
FL 104 Text Contribution to Collective Work
FL 105 Text Copyright Registration of Music
FL 106 Text Copyright Registration of Poetry
FL 107 Text Copyright Registration of Photographs
FL 108 Text Copyright Registration of Games
FL 109 Text Copyright Registration of Books, Manuscripts, and Speeches
FL 119 Text Dramatic Works: Scripts, Pantomimes, and Choreography
FL 122 Text Recipes
FL 124 Text Group Registration of Published Photographs
M 295 PDF How to Respond to a Mandatory Deposit Notice if You Elect to Register Your Work



Home  |  Contact Us  |  Legal Notices  |  Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)  |  Library of Congress

U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
(202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll free)