CHAPTER 1900
RECORDS, INDEXES, AND DEPOSITS OF THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE;
INSPECTION, COPYING, ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATES,
AND OTHER CERTIFICATIONS
The copyright code states that the Register of Copyrights shall provide and keep records of all deposits, registrations, recordations, and other actions taken by the Copyright Office and shall prepare indexes of all such records. See 17 U.S.C. 705. The statute also provides the fee schedule for Office services in connection with searches of the records, and the certification of copies of records. See 17 U.S.C. 708.
The public may inspect completed records and indexes relating to a processed application for registration--whether the claim was registered or rejected--and may inspect copies, phonorecords, or identifying material deposited in connection with such applications. They may also inspect completed records and indexes related to a recorded document. See 17 U.S.C. 705 and 37 C.F.R. 201.2(b)(1).
Persons who satisfy the criteria set out in the regulations and in 1902.02 of this chapter may have access to pending applications for registration, the deposit material accompanying them, and documents that have been submitted to the Office for recordation which have not yet been recorded. See 37 C.F.R. 201.2(b)(4). Also see section 1902.02 below.
The public may also inspect the Office's authorization file, which contains original copies of requests for copies of deposits for reasons of pending or prospective litigation, sworn statements of persons requesting such copies; claimants' letters authorizing deposits to be copied; and claimants' death certificates supplied by the next of kin who request copies of deposits. The file also contains complete copies of the deposit requested or a brief description of oversized copies, three dimensional works or negatives or a copy of the tape cover and accompanying materials for audio-visual deposits, copies of each certification issued for a deposit, and copies of the photo identifications of persons who have filed requests, statements, authorizations or death certificates. These documents are retained in the authorization file for a period of 10 years from the end of the calendar year in which they were filed. Portions of this file are available for public inspection and copying pursuant to section 1903.
