1509.2 (B) (2) Published Sound Recordings
To register a sound recording published in the United States, the applicant should submit two complete phonorecords containing the best edition of the work. The criteria used to determine the best edition for a sound recording are listed in section V of the “Best Edition Statement,” which is set forth in Appendix B to Part 202 of the Office’s regulations. The Best Edition Statement is also posted on the Office’s website in Best Edition of Published Copyrighted Works for the Collections of the Library of Congress (Circular 7b).
The deposit for a claim in a sound recording is considered complete when it “includes the phonorecord, together with any printed or other visually perceptible material” that was published with the sound recording, such as cover art, liner notes, or the sound recording container. 37 C.F.R. §§ 202.19 (B) (2); 202.20 (B) (2)(v). For example, the Office will not accept a CD in a plain jewel case as the deposit copy for a claim in a published sound recording if the sound recording was marketed with cover art and liner notes.