300-14
317
Interviews. (cont'd)
the nature of authorship is described as "entire text," it is unclear whether the claim actually extends to the entire work, or only to the text by the interviewee or the interviewer. In any case where the extent of the claim is not clear, the Copyright Office must communicate with the applicant for clarification.
the nature of authorship is described as "entire text," it is unclear whether the claim actually extends to the entire work, or only to the text by the interviewee or the interviewer. In any case where the extent of the claim is not clear, the Copyright Office must communicate with the applicant for clarification.
318
Facts, historical data, and "news." Works are often submitted for registration which contain "news" or other factual data, or which recount historical events. A distinction should be made between the original expression which the author uses and the noncopyrightable data, news, or facts which are set forth in the work. If it appears that the applicant is seeking to extend the claim to such uncopyrightable material, the Copyright Office will generally communicate with the applicant for clarification.
318.01
Research. The function or activity which constitutes "research" is not copyrightable. However, the expression embodied in the product or result of research may be copyrightable if it contains at least a certain minimum amount of original authorship.
319
Author deceased before date of creation of work. Where the application names as author an individual who was deceased on the date of creation of the work, and who is alleged to have dictated his or her writings "from the beyond," the Copyright Office will generally write to explain the requirements of the law regarding authorship and ownership. Ordinarily, works of this kind will contain additional material, such as an introduction, and registration may be made for this material, provided there is sufficient copyrightable authorship. Where the only author named was deceased on the date of creation and that person is named as claimant, the Office
[1984]
