1408 Renewal Registration Applications: Form RE and RE/Addendum
The U.S. Copyright Office offers renewal registrations for works that were first published or registered prior to 1978. The 1909 Act made works copyrighted in the United States before January 1, 1978 subject to a renewal system whereby the term of copyright was divided into two consecutive terms with separate registration requirements. The current Copyright Act that came into effect on January 1, 1978 retained the renewal system for works that were copyrighted before 1978 and were still in their first term on January 1, 1978. Renewal registration may still be obtained for pre- 1978 works in their renewal term.
Applicants must use a paper application to seek a renewal registration. Form RE is the general renewal form, and Form RE / Addendum is required for works that were not registered with the Office during their initial term. At present, applicants cannot file for renewal registration using the electronic registration system.
For an extensive discussion of registration of renewal claims and for guidance in completing these forms, see Chapter 2100.