12-11
Ch. 12
12.3.1
12.3.1
Part 12.3 FORMAL SUFFICIENCY OF THE DOCUMENT
12.3.1
In general. In order to be recorded, a document must generally meet six formal requirements:
1.
It must be "an instrument in writing".
2.
If it purports to be an assignment, it must be "signed by the proprietor of the copyright."
3.
If it purports to be an assignment it must identify the assignor and assignee.
4.
It must adequately identify the copyrighted work or other subject matter with which it deals.
5.
If it purports to be an assignment, it must contain words of present conveyance.
6.
It must be complete by its own terms.
12.3.2
"An instrument in writing."
I.
No special form. The Copyright Office does not provide, suggest, or require any special form for assignments or other types of documents.
II.
The actual instrument. The document to be recorded should be the actual instrument by which the conveyance or other commitment was made.
a.
The original copy (or one of the original copies) should be submitted for recordation.
b.
A typewritten, photostatic, or other copy of the document will be questioned, but may be accepted (with an annotation on the official record) upon the specific request of the sender.
c.
Where the original of the document in question is on file in a public office, a copy certified by the appropriate official will be accepted.
