{"id":2918,"date":"2019-08-28T15:07:05","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T15:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dekuzu.com\/en\/?p=2918"},"modified":"2020-02-04T17:18:11","modified_gmt":"2020-02-04T17:18:11","slug":"copyright-registration-issues-for-dramatic-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dekuzu.com\/en\/2019\/08\/copyright-registration-issues-for-dramatic-works.html","title":{"rendered":"Third edition of USA copyright office compendium \u2013 copyright registration issues for dramatic works"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A \u201cjoint work\u201d is \u201ca work prepared by two or more authors with the intention that their contributions be merged into inseparable or interdependent parts of a unitary whole.\u201d Scripts for stage and screen are often written by multiple authors. If the authors of the script intend to merge their contributions into inseparable or interdependent parts of a unitary whole, the script is a joint work, and the applicant should name all the joint authors in the application.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Musical plays containing script, lyrics, and music are frequently written by multiple authors. If the authors of the script, lyrics, and music intend to merge their contributions into inseparable or interdependent parts of a unitary whole, the musical is a joint work, and the applicant should name all the joint authors in the application.<\/span><\/p>\n

Different components of a dramatic work may be registered together as a joint work if the authors intended to merge their contributions into a single, unitary whole. By contrast, the elements should be registered separately if there was no intent to merge the elements when the authors created them. If there is some indication in the registration materials that the authors of the separate elements did not intend to merge the elements into a unitary whole (e.g., separate copyright notices), the registration specialist may communicate with the applicant to clarify the authors\u2019 intent.<\/span><\/p>\n

When all of the authors\u2019 contributions (e.g., score, music, lyrics, script, book\/libretto) have comparable weight and the application names all of the contributors as authors (e.g., composer, lyricist, playwright), the registration specialist will not communicate with the applicant to clarify the facts of authorship. If there is some indication in the registration materials that one or more authors did not contribute copyrightable authorship to the work as a whole (e.g., statements on the deposit or application), the specialist may communicate with the applicant to clarify the facts of authorship.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Office frequently receives copyright applications to register brief synopses that summarize other works of authorship. When preparing an application to register such works, the applicant should assert a claim in the synopsis itself, but often applicants erroneously describe the work that is summarized in the synopsis (e.g., a television show).<\/span><\/p>\n

If the synopsis contains sufficient copyrightable textual expression, but the applicant erroneously describes the author\u2019s contribution as a \u201cdramatic work\u201d or \u201cscript,\u201d the registration specialist will add an annotation to the record, such as: \u201cRegarding authorship information: Deposit contains synopsis only.\u201d If the synopsis contains sufficient textual expression, but the applicant erroneously describes the author\u2019s contribution as an idea, concept, or the like, the specialist will communicate with the applicant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where the synopsis is very short and\/or merely amounts to an idea (e.g., \u201cI have an idea for a television show that will feature famous guest stars\u201d), the specialist will refuse registration if the authorship is insufficient to support a claim in a dramatic work or literary work. Where the work contains sufficient text to be copyrightable, but it is clear that the applicant is seeking to protect the idea, the specialist may add an annotation to the record, such as: \u201cRegarding authorship information: ideas not copyrightable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Office may accept a redacted version of a screenplay for a motion picture (including screenplays for feature films, television programs, or other works of a similar nature), if the applicant requests special relief from the deposit requirements and confirms that the following conditions<\/a> (draft<\/a>) have been met:<\/span><\/p>\n