802.4 (A) Copies
Musical works fixed in copies include their embodiment in both hard copy and electronic formats. Standard musical notation, using the five-line, four-space staff, is the form of notation often employed to embody musical works. Precision equal to that offered by standard notation is not required for registration, although the deposit should constitute as precise a representation of the work as possible. A graphic representation or textual description of pitch, rhythm, or both may suffice as long as the notation is sufficiently precise.
Copies of musical works include the following:
• Hard copy formats, including but not limited to sheet music and lead sheets.
• Non-audio digital files, including text files (e.g., .pdf or Microsoft Word) or files created by music notation software embodied in compact discs, flash drives, hard drives, and other digital file storage devices.
• Music accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work (as fixed in the audiovisual work).
• A non-audio digital file (e.g., digital notation) that is uploaded to the Office’s server in support of an online application.
For the deposit requirements for musical works published in copies, see Chapter 1500, Sections 1509.2 (A) (2) (B) and 1509.2 (A) (2) (C). For unpublished musical works, see Chapter 1500, Section 1509.2 (A) (1).