2006 Application Tips for Foreign Works
In most cases, eligible foreign works may be registered just like any other work. In other words, an applicant generally may submit an application using the electronic registration system and selecting the type of work at issue (e.g., literary work, work of the performing arts, work of the visual arts, sound recording, or single serial issue) or by using a paper application (e.g., Form TX, PA, VA, SR, SE, etc.). For specific guidance on how to complete these applications, see Chapter 600 (Examination Practices). There are, however, some foreign works that must be registered with a paper application submitted on Form GATT. These works typically were created or published before 1996 and are known as “restored works,” which are discussed in Section 2007 below.
In all cases, the applicant should provide the name of the nation of which the author is a national or domiciliary, and in the case of a published work, the name of the nation of first publication of the work. For guidance in identifying the author’s nationality or domicile, see Chapter 600, Section 617. For guidance in identifying the nation of first publication, see Chapter 600, Section 612.
Generally, the U.S. Copyright Office will not accept an application that lists a territory or other political subdivision, rather than the name of the nation itself.
Examples of acceptable statements:
• Great Britain
• England
• Wales
• France
• French
• Switzerland
• Swiss
Examples of unacceptable statements:
• British Protected Person
• Commonwealth Citizen
• Worldwide
• Internet