Copyright Office Issues Final Rule to Create New Group Registration Option for Works on an Album of Music

The U.S. Copyright Office has issued a final rule establishing a new group registration option, known as “Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music” or “GRAM,” to allow applicants to register either a group of up to twenty musical works or a group of up to twenty sound recordings and associated literary, pictorial, or graphic works contained on an album of music. The rule expands the registration options currently available to register multiple musical works or sound recordings and will permit the registration of multiple works distributed together using a single electronic application, regardless of whether such distribution occurs via physical or digital media.

The final rule also announces new online registration applications for this group option. Under the original proposed rule, applicants would have been required to submit their claims using the online Standard Application given technological limitations in the current registration system. Based on commenters’ input, however, the Office has worked to introduce new applications specifically for GRAM claims within the existing system. The Office expects to provide an online tutorial and other guidance on completing and submitting the application.

The final rule takes effect on March 26, 2021, to coincide with the expected completion of system development for this new option. The Office will issue an additional public announcement when that process is complete and this option is available to applicants. For more information, please visit the Copyright Office website. Read more