1114.4 (B) Submitting the Digital Files and Mandatory Title List
The U.S. Copyright Office strongly encourages applicants to combine the digital photos and the title list in a .zip file and upload that file to the electronic registration system. The size of each uploaded file must not exceed 500 megabytes, although the photos may be digitally compressed to comply with this limitation.
Alternatively, applicants may save the digital photos and the title list on a physical storage device, such as a flash drive, CD-R, or DVD-R, and deliver that device to the Office. However, this will significantly delay the examination of the claim.
A physical storage device must be submitted together with an appropriate shipping slip. To create a shipping slip, the applicant should complete the online application and pay the filing fee. Next, the applicant should select the “Create Shipping Slip” button at the bottom of the Case Summary screen, and then open the link and print the shipping slip. For step-by-step instructions on how to create a shipping slip, consult the Office’s video tutorials for published and unpublished photographs.
The shipping slip must be included in the package containing the physical storage device. If the applicant fails to include a shipping slip the Office will be unable to connect the deposit with the appropriate application. In such cases, the applicant will be required to pay an additional fee to search for the deposit and connect it with the application. If the deposit cannot be located, the applicant will be required to resubmit the deposit, which will change the effective date of registration for the group registration.
The physical storage device and shipping slip may be delivered to the Office by mail, by commercial carrier (such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service), by courier, or by hand delivery to the Public Information Office. Packages that are delivered to the Office by mail, commercial carrier, or courier will be irradiated to destroy possible contaminants, such as anthrax. This process may damage files stored on electronic media. To avoid this result, applicants are strongly encouraged to send physical storage devices in boxes rather than envelopes. For additional guidance on these delivery options, see Chapter 1500, Section 1508.2.