1508.8 (A) What Is Special Relief?
The U.S. Copyright Office is authorized to grant special relief from the registration deposit requirements in certain circumstances. Specifically, the Office may allow the applicant to submit:
• One copy or phonorecord, or alternative identifying material (in lieu of submitting one or two copy(ies) or phonorecord(s) of the work).
• Incomplete copy(ies) or phonorecord(s) or copy(ies) or phonorecord(s) other than those normally comprising the best edition.
• Actual copy(ies) of the work (in lieu of submitting an electronic copy or identifying material).
• Identifying material that does not comply with sections 202.4 or 202.21 of the Office’s regulations.
37 C.F.R. § 202.20 (D) (1) (I)-(iv).