U.S. Copyright Office Publishes Final Rule Relating to Group Registration Options for Newsletters and Serials
Issue No. 734 - November 30, 2018
The Copyright Office has adopted a final rule, effective December 30, 2018, to update its regulations governing group registration options for newsletters and serials. The final rule will require applicants to file online rather than use a paper application, and upload a complete digital copy of each issue through the electronic registration system instead of submitting them in physical form. To satisfy the mandatory deposit requirement, if the newsletter or serial is published in the United States in a physical format, two complimentary subscriptions must be provided directly to the Library of Congress (unless the Library notifies the publisher otherwise). In addition, for group newsletters, the rule eliminates requirements that each issue be a work made for hire and be registered within three months of publication. For group serials, the rule clarifies registration requirements, including that serials must generally be published at intervals of at least a week and that the publication dates need not match the dates on the issues themselves.