400-13
417
Words accompanying music. Words accompanying music are considered an integral part of the musical work. There is no specific manner in which words shall accompany music. The words may be narrated to background music, sung to music on a phonorecord, set above the notes to which they are to be sung on a notated copy, or may be written on a separate sheet with no instructions as to how they are to be performed. The Copyright Office will question whether words accompany music only where it appears improbable that the words and music are meant to be performed or otherwise used together.
418
Claim in literary content. The words must be sufficiently substantial in themselves to support a claim on words. If the words are insufficient, the Copyright Office will request that the claim on words be deleted from the application. The words may still be included as part of the deposit.
419
Literary content. In addition to ordinary words used in the conventional manner, nonsense syllables, nonsyntactical words, or coined words may be registered. The verbal expression, however, must have been originated by a human being and be of a sufficient amount.
420
Nondramatic literary works prepared for performance. Nondramatic literary works prepared for performance may be registered in Class PA. Nondramatic literary works not intended for per formance should be registered in Class TX. See Chapter 300: COPYRIGHTABLE MATTER — NONDRAMATIC LITERARY WORKS.
420.01
Song lyrics. Song lyrics, unaccompanied by music, may be registered in published or unpublished form in Class PA.
420.02
Comedy sketches. Jokes and other comedy routines may be registered if they contain at least a certain minimum amount of original expression in tangible form. Short quips and slang expressions consisting of no more than short phrases are not registrable
[1984]
