1000-25
1014
Handwritten, typewritten, or rubber-stamped copyright notice on published copies or phonorecords. Where such notice appears on deposited copies or phonorecords, the Copyright Office will not question the notice, if registration is sought within five years of first publication. However, where registration of a claim to copyright is sought more than five years after the date of first publication, the Copyright Office will correspond to determine whether such notice appeared on the copies or phonorecords as published earlier.
1015
Legibility of copyright notice. A blurred notice will be acceptable if it is legible. But a notice so badly blurred as to be illegible will be treated as an omission of notice. See 17 U.S.C. 405 and section 1008 of this chapter.
1016
Microscopic copyright notice. In general, a notice so small that it cannot be read without a magnifying glass is considered unacceptable, and the claim will be treated as if publication of the work had occurred without notice. See 17 U.S.C. 405 and section 1008 of this chapter. Where, however, the work itself requires magnification for its ordinary use, e.g., a microfilm, microcard, or motion picture film, a notice that is readable when so magnified is acceptable.
1017
Concealed copyright notice. A notice which is permanently covered up so that it cannot be seen without tearing the work apart is considered unacceptable, and the claim will be treated as if publication of the work had occurred without notice. See 17 U.S.C. 405 and section 1008 of this chapter.
Examples:
1)
A notice which the Copyright Office is told is on the margin or back of a painting but which is concealed under a permanent frame or mat.
2)
A notice which the Copyright Office is told is on the bottom of a figurine cemented on a base that conceals the notice.
[1984]
