Copyright Office Accepting Electronic Applications
Copyright Offices Announces Temporary Changes to Deposit Copy Requirements
The United States Copyright Office has announced that it will temporarily accept electronic deposit copies to facilitate remote examination of electronic applications which ordinarily must be accompanied by physical deposits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure, effective as of April 2, 2020, is optional and does not dispense with the requirement that applicants also mail “best edition” physical copies of the work to the Copyright Office. It is intended to mitigate the effect of the temporary closure of Copyright Office buildings due to COVID-19.
For electronic applications submitted on or after April 2, 2020, applicants will have the option of uploading an electronic copy of the work via eCO (the Copyright Office’s online registration system), in addition to mailing the required physical copies to the Copyright Office together with the shipping slip generated by eCO. Applicants who take advantage of this option must also upload a sworn declaration stating that the electronic copy of the work is identical to the required physical copies. The Copyright Office invites applicants to use the declaration form provided here.