Single Application Help: Type of Work

Literary Work

Select Literary Work if you are registering a nondramatic literary work, such as an article, novel, essay, poem, short story, nonfiction work, computer program, manuscript, or dissertation.

Work of the Visual Arts

Select Work of the Visual Arts if you are registering a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, such as a photograph, logo, sculpture, piece of jewelry, painting, drawing, illustration, comic strip, fabric design, textile design, wallpaper design, or another single piece of artwork.

Sound Recording

Select Sound Recording if you are registering a sound recording. Also, select Sound Recording if you are registering both a sound recording and the musical work that is embodied in that recording.

Note: To register both the sound recording and the musical work contained in that recording, the author and claimant of the both the sound recording and the musical work must be the same person and the author must be the only person who created both the sound recording and the musical work.

Note: Under the copyright law, the sounds that accompany a motion picture or other audiovisual work are not considered a sound recording. To register sounds accompanying a motion picture or audiovisual work you should return to the main menu, select the link for the Standard Application, and select “Motion Picture/AV” as the “Type of Work.”

Work of the Performing Arts

Select Work of the Performing Arts if you are registering a musical work (with or without lyrics) or a dramatic work, such as a screenplay, play or other script.

Note: To register a musical work and a recording of that work select Sound Recording. To register both a sound recording and the musical work contained in that recording, the author and claimant of both the sound recording and the musical work must be the same person and the author must be the only person who created both the sound recording and the musical work.

Motion Picture/AV Work

Select Motion Picture/AV Work if you are registering one motion picture by one author or one audiovisual work by one author, such as a selfie video featuring one person, one animated film created by one person, or one video game created by one person.

Incorrect Type of Work Selected

The Type of Work you select determines the options that will be available as you complete the application.

Once selected, the Type of Work selection cannot be changed. If the Type of Work selected is incorrect, you will need to begin a new application:

Click the Home link
Click the appropriate registration application under “Copyright Registration”
Click the “Start Registration” button to begin a new application
Consult the help links for guidance in selecting the appropriate Type of Work

You should also discard the unused application:

Click the Home link
Click the Working Cases link under “Check Case Status”
Find the case to be discarded in the list of “Working Cases”
Click the corresponding “Discard” link

Note: Discarded cases cannot be re-opened