400-4
405
Physical embodiment of musical works. (cont'd)
405.01
Physical embodiment: copies. (cont'd)
405.01(b)
Copies: musical notation. Standard musical notation, using the five-line, four-space staff is the form most frequently employed to embody musical works. Precision equal to that offered by conventional notation is not required, although the deposit should constitute as precise a representation of the work as possible. Any graphic representation of pitch, rhythm, or both, suffices as long as the notation is capable of being performed. Examples: graphically drawn hand signals, fret notation, staves with more or fewer lines than the conventional staff, and "new music," combining graphic art with music notation.
405.01(c)
Copies: literary description. A copy may be in the form of textual instructions for performance, e.g., a description of notes and rhythms. However, in order to be registrable as a musical composition, such instructions must be specific enough for the work to be per formed.
405.02
Physical embodiment: soundtracks. Where music is embodied in a motion picture sound track, the motion picture is the copy. Although the deposit ordinarily required would be the motion picture, an exception to the deposit requirements permits the deposit of identifying material instead of a copy. See Chapter 800: DEPOSIT FOR REGISTRATION.
NOTE: Music published in a soundtrack before 1978 can be registered apart from the motion picture as a whole, only if the motion picture bore a separate copyright notice for the music. Music published in a soundtrack after 1977 may be registered apart from the motion picture,
without a notice of copyright on the motion picture in the name of the music claimant.[1984]
