900-11
911
Problems relating to date of publication. The following are problems relating to the date of publication.
911.01
No date of publication. An application in which no date of publication is given will ordinarily not be questioned, even though the copies appear to be in published form. In such cases, registration may be made without correspondence unless it seems clear that the applicant fails to understand the registration requirements and actually wishes registration of the work as published.
911.02
Incomplete date. An application lacking one or more of the three necessary elements of the date of publication (month, day, and year) will not be accepted. Where the element is missing from the appropriate space on the application, the Copyright Office may either request the information and add it to the application, or request a new application. Similarly, an application containing a date extending over a period of time will not be accepted.
Examples of unacceptable statements:
1)
"January, 1981."
2)
"July 20-26, 1981."
3)
"Last week of December, 1980."
911.03
Impossible or improbable date. A date of publication that is impossible, such as "February 30, 1981," is not acceptable. If a date is given on the application which, if correct, would signify that the work is in the public domain in the United States, as for example, "March 3, 1867," such application will be questioned.
911.04
Other calendrical systems. When a date of publication is given which appears to be in terms of a calendrical system other than the current Gregorian calendar, the Copyright Office will ask that the date be stated by the applicant in accordance with the current Gregorian calendar.
[1984]
