500-15
507
Reproductions of pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works. (cont'd)
507.03
Reproductions not capable of supporting a registration. Claims to copyright in the following works cannot be registered in the Copyright Office:
507.03(a)
Underlying work not a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work. Where the underlying work is not a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, no registration is possible on the basis of reproduction authorship. For example, a lithographic reproduction of a letter of the alphabet is not registrable.
507.03(b)
Mechanical or photomechanical processes. Reproductions made through the mere operation of mechanical or photomechanical processes are not registrable. For example, a photocopy of an original pen and ink drawing is not registrable as an art reproduction.
508
Photographs, holograms, and individual slides. Works considered for registration on the basis of photographic authorship include still photographic prints, holograms, and individual slides.
508.01
Registration requirements. To be entitled to copyright registration, a photograph, hologram, or slide must contain at least a certain minimum amount of original expression. Generally, original photographic or holographic authorship depends on the variety and number of the elements involved in the composition of the photograph or hologram. However, the nature of the thing depicted or the subject of the photograph or hologram, as distinguished from its composition or arrangement, is not regarded as a copyrightable element. original photographic composition capable of supporting registration may include such elements as time and light exposure, camera angle or perspective achieved, deployment of light and shadow from natural or artificial light sources, and the arrangement or disposition of persons, scenery, or other subjects depicted in the photograph.
[1984]
