Help: Group Registration for Serial Issues vs. Registering a Single Serial Issue

A “serial” is a work that is published in successive issues bearing numerical or chronological designations (such as "Volume 2, Issue Number 3, Volume 2, Issue Number 4, etc."). The issues are published under the same continuing title and they are intended to be continued indefinitely. Examples include periodicals, newspapers, magazines, bulletins, newsletters, annuals, journals, proceedings of societies, and other collective works.

You may register two or more issues with the group registration option for “Serial Issues.” Alternatively, you may register one individual issue by submitting the application for a “Single Serial Issue.”

You are strongly encouraged to use the group registration option if your issues satisfy the requirements listed in the chart below. The group option offers many advantages including:

Register Multiple Issues with the Same Application: You may submit two or more issues at the same time.
Save money: The fee for the group registration option is $35 per issue. By contrast, the fee for registering a “Single Serial Issue” is $65 per issue.
Faster processing times: Claims submitted with the group registration option are processed much quicker than claims submitted with the application for a “Single Serial Issue.”

To access the group registration application, go to https://www.copyright.gov/registration/ and log into the electronic registration system (“eCO”). Select the option for “Register Certain Groups of Published Works” on the eCO home screen. Then select the option for “Serial Issues.” Guidance for completing the application is provided in the help text that accompanies the form.

The following chart highlights the key differences between the application for registering a “Single Serial Issue” and the group registration option for two or more serial issues:

	Single Serial Issue	Group Registration of Serial Issues
What can be registered?	One issue from a serial publication, such as a newspaper, magazine, newsletter, or other collective work	Two or more issues from a serial publication, such as a newspaper, magazine, newsletter, or other collective work
How many issues can be registered?	One issue only	Two or more issues that were published within three consecutive months within the same calendar year
How much does it cost?	$65 per issue	$35 per issue
Publication Requirements	The issue must be published Note: If the issue has not been published, use the Standard Application for a “Literary Work” application (rather than the Standard Application for a “Single Serial Issue”)	The issue must be published within three consecutive months within the same calendar year
Frequency of Publication	The serial may be published at any interval (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, etc.)	The serial generally must be published at intervals of a week or longer
Author/Claimant	The author and claimant do not need to be the same person or organization	The author and claimant for each issue must be the same person or organization
Work made for hire	The issue does not need to be a work made for hire	Each issue must be a work made for hire
Collective work requirement	The issue must be a collective work Note: If the issue is not a collective work, use the Standard Application for a “Literary Work” application (rather than the Standard Application for a “Single Serial Issue”)	Each issue must be a collective work
What does the registration cover?	The registration may cover the “collective work authorship” or the “collective work authorship and component work(s) authored or fully owned by the collective work author” Note: A registration for the “collective work authorship” covers the compilation authorship involved in creating each issue as a whole. The individual articles, photographs, illustrations, or other component works within each issue may be included in the registration if they were first published in that issue and if they are fully owned by the claimant when the application is filed.	The registration will cover the “collective work” Note: A registration for the “collective work” covers the compilation authorship involved in creating each issue as a whole. It also covers the authorship in the individual articles, photographs, illustrations, or other contributions appearing within each issue – if they were first published in those issues and if they are fully owned by the author/claimant when the application is filed.
Application Form	On the eCO home screen select “Standard Application” and then choose “Single Serial Issue” from the drop down menu. Note: You may use a paper application (Form SE or Form TX) if you do not have a computer or access to the internet. But the filing fee is significantly higher ($125 per issue) and there will be a substantial delay in processing your claim.	On the eCO home screen select “Register Certain Groups of Published Works” and then choose “Serial Issues” from the drop down menu Note: If you are registering two or more issues, DO NOT submit a paper application or the Standard Application for a “Single Serial Issue”
Submitting a copy of the issue	You are strongly encouraged to upload a digital copy of the issue. Alternatively, you may mail a physical copy to the Copyright Office, but there will be a substantial delay in processing your claim. After your claim has been processed, any physical copies will be offered to the Library of Congress.	You must upload a digital copy of each issue to the electronic registration system. The digital copy will be retained by the Copyright Office. DO NOT mail physical copies to the Copyright Office.
Where can I learn more about these options?	This page provides introductory information about registering a single issue of a serial issue. For more information, you can read the circular, call the Public Information Office at 202-707-3000, or send us an email.	This page provides introductory information about the group registration option for serial issues. For more information, you can read the circular, call the Public Information Office at 202-707-3000, or send us an email.

FAQs for Group Registration of Serials

The U.S. Copyright Office recently amended its regulations governing the group registration option for serial issues. Here’s what you need to know about the rule change.

Question	Answer
What has changed?	The application and deposit requirements for registering a group of serial issues.
What are the new application requirements?	To register a group of serial issues, you must use the online application for “Serial Issues”. Paper applications received on or after December 30, 2019 will not be accepted by the Copyright Office.
What are the new deposit requirements?	To register a group of serial issues, you must upload an electronic copy of each issue. Electronic copies will be retained by the Copyright Office after your claim has been processed. Physical copies received on or after December 30, 2019 will not be accepted by the Copyright Office.
When did these changes go into effect?	December 31, 2019.
When were these changes announced?	The new rule was published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2018. A follow-up notice was published on November 12, 2019.
What has the Office done to notify serial publishers about this change?	The Literary Division emailed applicants who submitted a paper application or a physical deposit to notify them about the rule change.
Where do I find the online application for “Serial Issues”?	To access the online application, log into your eCO account. Choose “Register Certain Groups of Published Works” under the heading “Other Registration Options” on the left side of the home screen. When you get to the “Type of Group” screen, select “Serial Issues” from the drop down menu
What if I need help completing the online application for “Serial Issues”?	The help text for the online application provides detailed instructions on how to complete each section of the form.
I’ve been using the paper application known as “Form SE/Group.” Can I continue to use this form?	No, the Copyright Office will not accept paper applications received after December 31, 2019.
What will happen if I submit a paper application after December 30, 2019?	The paper application and fee will be returned to the sender without being processed. Any physical deposits that are submitted with a paper form may be offered to the Library of Congress.
Do I need to upload an electronic copy of my issues?	Yes. To register a group of serial issues you must upload an electronic copy of each issue.
How do I submit an electronic copy of my issues?	After you submit your application and pay the filing fee, you should upload a copy of each issue to the electronic registration system.
Do I need to submit my issues in a particular format?	Yes, each issue should be submitted as an individual .pdf file.
Should I follow a particular file-naming convention when I create my electronic files?	Yes, you should follow the file-naming conventions described in the help text that accompanies the online application.
Can I submit all of my issues in one electronic file?	No. Each issue must be uploaded to the electronic registration system in a separate PDF file.
Should the cover and the content of each issue be submitted in the same electronic file?	Yes, the cover and the entire content of each issue should be uploaded in the same PDF file.
Can I upload individual pages from each issue?	No. The cover and the entire content of each issue should be uploaded in the same PDF file with the pages arranged in sequential reading order.
What if I need help preparing my electronic files?	The help text for the online application contains detailed information about the deposit requirements. For more information, you can read the circular, call the Public Information Office at 202-707-3000, or send us an email.
I’ve been sending physical copies to the Copyright Office. Can I continue to do this?	No. Beginning December 31, 2019, the Copyright Office no longer accepts physical copies that are submitted with an application to register a group of serial issues. Electronic uploads are now required.
My serial is published solely in a physical form. Do I still need to upload an electronic copy of each issue?	Yes. To register a group of serial issues you must upload an electronic copy of each issue.
My serial is published solely in a physical form. Can I upload the electronic copy that was used to create a physical copy for distribution to the public?	Yes. Serials are typically created using digital publishing software, even though the issue itself may be distributed in a physical form. In such cases, the electronic file that was used to create the digital copy may be used to satisfy the electronic deposit requirement, as long as it contains a complete copy of the issue and satisfies the other legal and formal requirements for this group registration option.
What will happen if I submit a physical copy of my issues after December 30, 2019?	The Copyright Office will refuse to register your claim.
Can I get a refund if my claim is refused?	No, the filing fee is non-refundable.
Will the physical copies be returned if my claim is refused?	No. Physical copies received on or after December 31, 2019 may be offered to the Library of Congress.
Can I submit a physical copy of each issue if I register them on an individual basis (instead of using the group registration option)?	Yes, you may submit physical copies if you register each issue on an individual basis with the online application for a “Single Serial Issue.” As mentioned above, the Copyright Office will not accept physical copies if you register two or more issues with the group registration option for serial issues.
Where can I find the online application for a “Single Serial Issue”?	To access the online application, log into your eCO account. Choose ”Standard Application” under the heading “Register a Work.” When you get to the “Type of Work” screen, select “Single Serial Issue” from the drop down menu.
If I upload my issues to the electronic registration system, will those copies satisfy the mandatory deposit requirement?	No. Electronic copies submitted for purposes of registering a group of serial issues will not be offered to the Library of Congress and they will not satisfy the mandatory deposit requirement.
How do I satisfy the mandatory deposit requirement?	If your serial is published in the United States in a physical form, you may satisfy the mandatory deposit requirement by providing two complimentary subscriptions to the Library of Congress.
Where should I send my complimentary subscription copies?	Complimentary subscriptions submitted to the Library of Congress for the purpose of mandatory deposit should be mailed to the following address: Library of Congress, Group Serials Registration, Washington, DC 20540-4161.
What if my serial is not published in a physical form?	If your serial is published in the United States solely in electronic form, you are not required to provide a complimentary subscription for the Library of Congress, unless you receive a written demand from the Copyright Office’s Copyright Acquisition Division.
How can I determine if I am subject to the mandatory deposit requirement?	Email or call the Copyright Office’s Copyright Acquisition Division at [email protected] or (202) 707-7125.