2138.3 Inappropriate Use of Supplementary Registration
With regard to renewal registration records, supplementary registration cannot be used:
• To correct or amplify a fact that was established in an original registration record.
Exception: When an original term registration record contains an error or omission of fact pertaining to a previous registration that affects the term of copyright, the U.S. Copyright Office may accept a supplementary registration to add this information to a renewal registration record.
• To identify additional statutory renewal claimants in a timely renewal registration record.
• To identify additional vested owners in a renewal term registration record.
Exception: For an exception to this rule, see Section 2138.1.
• To identify the assignee or successor to a statutory renewal claimant or vested owner in a renewal registration record that was filed in the name of the vested owner.
Exception: For an exception to this rule, see Section 2138.1.
• To identify an assignee or successor who acquired the renewal copyright since the effective date of the renewal registration.
• As a substitute for renewal term registration.
• When, as a result of the correction or amplification, a renewal registration record would be invalidated or provide information that is adverse to the facts established in the renewal registration record. In such cases the Office may cancel the renewal registration record (Section 2140), and/or advise that a separate renewal claim be filed (Section 2137) or a document be recorded (Section 2139).
NOTE: In lieu of supplementary registration, an assignment or other document of transfer may be recorded in the instances listed in the fourth and fifth bullet points above. The recorded document will not be cross-referenced with the renewal registration record.