400-19
450
Choreographic works. (cont'd)
450.05
Requirement for registration. To be registrable, the choreographic work must contain at least a certain minimal amount
of copyrightable matter in the form of dance steps or other movements in a coherent compositional arrangement. It must also be capable of performance as submitted.450.06
Choreographic content: social dance steps and simple routines. Social dance steps and simple routines are not copyrightable under the general standards of copyrightability. Thus, for example, the basic waltz step, the hustle step, and the second position of classical ballet are not copyrightable. However, this is not a restriction against the incorporation of social dance steps and simple routines, as such, in an otherwise registrable choreographic work. Social dance steps, folk dance steps, and individual ballet steps alike may be utilized as the choreographer's basic material in much the same way that words are the writer's basic material.
450.07
Embodiment of choreography. Broad outlines in which the movements of the dancers have not been set out with any certainty are not registrable as choreography. If the basic movements of the dancers have been fixed, however, registration will not be refused simply because there is room for improvisation, or because some improvisation is intended. See section 450.09 below.
450.07(a)
Choreographic works embodied in motion picture form. A choreographic work may be embodied in motion-picture form. If such a motion picture constitutes the deposit for registration, the registration extends only to what is disclosed therein.
