group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 1
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Group Registration of Works
on an Album of Music (GRAM)
Frequently Asked Questions
Registering Multiple Works with the Same Application
What is group registration of works published on an album of music?
The Copyright Oce created two group registration options for works that were published on the same album of music:
• The Copyright Oce created a group registration option for musical works that were published on the same album. This
option may be used to register up to twenty musical works with the application titled “Musical Works from an Album”
• The Oce also created a separate group registration option for sound recordings that were published on the same album.
This option may be used to register up to twenty sound recordings with the application titled “Sound Recordings from an
Album.” It also may be used to register any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that were rst published with the album.
Important: Groups of musical works and sound recordings must be registered separately. The Copyright Office will refuse
to register works submitted using the wrong group registration application.
• Musical works (with or without lyrics): If you want to register musical works (with or without lyrics), you must submit
the online application for “Musical Works from an Album.” This application can only be used to register musical works
(with or without lyrics). It cannot be used to register sound recordings or any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that
were published on the same album.
• Sound recordings: If you want to register sound recordings, you must submit the online application for “Sound
Recordings from an Album.” This application may be used to register sound recordings, as well as any photographs,
artwork, or liner notes that were rst published on the same album. But it cannot be used to register musical works (with
or without lyrics).
What does “GRAM” stand for?
“GRAM” is shorthand for “group registration of works on an album of music.”
How do I register musical works (with or without lyrics) with the same application?
You may register up to twenty musical works (with or without lyrics) by (1) completing the online application for “Musical
Works from an Album,” (2) paying the nonrefundable ling fee, and (3) submitting separate audio les that contain a
complete copy of each musical work.
How do I register sound recordings with the same application?
You may register up to twenty sound recordings by (1) completing the online application for “Sound Recordings from an
Album,” (2) paying the nonrefundable ling fee, and (3) submitting separate audio les that contain a complete copy of
each sound recording.
Can I register a work that was previously published as a single before it was published on the album?
Yes.
A musical work or a sound recording that was previously published as an individual work (such as a single) before it was
published on the album may be included in the claim if certain requirements have been met.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 2
Specically, you must provide the following information in the “Note to Copyright Oce” eld:
• The title of the single;
• The complete date (MM/DD/YYYY) the single was rst published; and
• A brief statement conrming that the work embodied in the single is the same as the work embodied in the album.
Example:
Track Title
Album Track
Number
Album
Publication Date
Single
Publication Date
Nation of First
Publication
Mercury 6/1/2021 USA
Venus 6/1/2021 USA
Earth 6/1/2021 USA
Mars 6/1/2021 3/1/2021 USA
Jupiter 6/1/2021 2/1/2021 Canada
Tracks 1 through 5 were published on the album Solar System on 6/1/2021. In addition, Tracks 4 and 5 were separately
published as singles:
• “Mars” was rst published in the United States on 3/1/2021.
• “Jupiter” was rst published in Canada on 2/1/2021.
Tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be registered with the group registration application. To register Track 4 (“Mars”), the applicant
must include the following statement in the “Note to Copyright Oce” eld:
• “Mars was rst published as a single on 3/1/2021. The previously published track is identical to the track published on the
album Solar System.”
By contrast, Track 5 (“Jupiter”) cannot be included in the group registration application, because that single was rst
published in a dierent country than rest of the works in the group. To register Track 5, the applicant should submit
a separate application, deposit, and fee for that work using the Standard Application (NOT the group registration
application).
How do I register photographs, artwork, or liner notes with the same application?
You may register two or more sound recordings and any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that were rst published on the
same album by (1) completing the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album,”(2) paying the nonrefundable
ling fee, and (3) submitting a complete copy of the sound recordings, photographs, artwork, or liner notes being registered.
Note: To register photographs, artwork, or liner notes you must submit at least two sound recordings with your claim.
The application for Sound Recordings from an Album cannot be used to register photographs, artwork, or liner notes by
themselves.
What’s the dierence between a “musical work” and a “sound recording”?
A “musical work” consists of the musical composition (melody, rhythm, and/or harmony) and any accompanying words
(lyrics). A recording of a particular performance of a musical work is a “sound recording.”
For example, Otis Redding’s song “Respect” and a recording of Aretha Franklin singing “Respect” are two distinct works.
The song itself (i.e., the music and lyrics) is a musical work, and a recording of an artist performing that song is a sound
recording.
• If you want to register a group of musical works (with or without lyrics) you must use the online application for “Musical
Works from an Album.”
• If you want to register a group of sound recordings (such as the performance and/or production authorship contained
within a particular recording) you must use the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album.”
For more information about the dierences between a musical work and a sound recording, see Musical Compositions and
Sound Recordings Circular 56A.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 3
Can I register a musical work (with or without lyrics) and sound recordings with the same group registration application?
No. Musical works (with or without lyrics)—and sound recordings—must be registered using separate applications.
To register musical works (with or without lyrics), you must submit the online application for “Musical Works from an
Album.” This application can only be used to register musical works (with or without lyrics). It cannot be used to register
sound recordings.
To register sound recordings, you must submit the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album.” You may
register two or more sound recordings with this application. This application may also be used to register photographs,
artwork, or liner notes that were rst published on the same album. But the application for “Sound Recordings from an
Album” cannot be used to register musical works (with or without lyrics).
Can I register musical works (with or without lyrics), photographs, artwork, and liner notes with the same application?
No. Photographs, artwork, and liner notes can only be registered with the application for Sound Recordings from an Album.
To register musical works (with or without lyrics), you must submit the online application for “Musical Works from an
Album.” This application can only be used to register musical works (with or without lyrics). It cannot be used to register
photographs, artwork, or liner notes.
Where can I learn about this group registration option?
There are multiple ways to learn about group registration of works published on the same album. In addition to this FAQ,
the Oce oers an introductory circular, video tutorials [coming soon], and a recording of our webinar.
For specic questions, you can call the Public Information Oce at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll free), or you can
send us an email at copyinf[email protected].
When did this change go into eect?
March 26, 2021
When was this change announced?
The new rule was published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2021.
Application Form
Do I need to submit my claim through the electronic registration system?
Yes, you must submit your claim through the Copyright Oce’s Electronic Copyright Oce (eCO) system, which is
available here.
Where do I nd information about the online registration system?
For information on how to access the Electronic Copyright Oce (eCO) system, go to copyright.gov/eco/faq.html.
Where do I nd the online application for “Musical Works from an Album”?
Log into your eCO account here.
Click the link for “Register Certain Groups of Published Works” under the heading “Other Registration Options” on the left
side of the home screen. Then select “Musical Works from an Album” from the drop-down menu on the “Type of Group”
screen.
Click here if you need help nding these links.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 4
Where do I nd the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album”?
Log into your eCO account here.
Click the link for “Register Certain Groups of Published Works” under the heading “Other Registration Options” on the left
side of the home screen. Then select “Sound Recordings from an Album” from the drop-down menu on the “Type of Group”
screen.
Click here if you need help nding these links.
What if I need help completing the online application?
The Copyright Oce oers a series of videos that provide step-by-step instructions for completing the online application for
“Musical Works from an Album” and the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album.” [coming soon]
The help text for the online application for “Musical Works from an Album” and the online application for “Sound
Recordings from an Album” provides detailed instructions on how to complete each section of the application.
For additional information, see our circular or call the Public Information Oce at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll free).
Can I register two or more musical works or sound recordings under the group registration option by using a paper
application?
No. If you want to use the group registration options for musical works or sound recordings that were published on the same
album, you must submit your claim through the online registration system using one of the options described in these
FAQs. DO NOT use a paper application, such as Form PA or Form SR.
Number of Works
How many works can I submit with this group registration option?
You may submit at least two but no more than twenty musical works with the online application for “Musical Works from
an Album.”
You may submit at least two but no more than twenty sound recordings with the online application for “Sound Recordings
from an Album.” You may also submit any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that were rst published on the same album.
Can I submit more than twenty musical works or more than twenty sound recordings with the same application?
No.
Is there a limit on the number of photographs, artwork, or liner notes that can be submitted with the same application?
There is no limit on the number of photographs, artwork, or liner notes that may be registered with GRAM. But all of the
works must be submitted with the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album,” and you must include at
least two sound recordings with your claim. Additionally, the photographs, artwork, or liner notes must be rst published
on the same album and on the same date, they must have the same author or a common joint author, and the copyright
claimant or co-claimants for each work must all be the same person(s) or organization. You cannot submit photographs,
artwork, or liner notes by themselves.
Author Information
Who is the author of a musical work?
The author of a musical work is the person who created the musical composition (melody, rhythm, and/or harmony) and/or
lyrics, such as a composer, lyricist, or songwriter.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 5
Who is the author of a sound recording?
The author of a sound recording can be the performer featured in the recording and/or the producer who captured,
manipulated, or edited the sounds that appear in the nal recording.
Can I register a “work made for hire” with this option?
Yes. A work that was created as a “work made for hire” may be included in a group registration if it is identied as such in
the application.
The Oce has developed a questionnaire that may be useful in determining whether a particular work qualies as a “work
made for hire.” To complete the questionnaire and to read more information about this topic, see Works Made for Hire
(Circular 30).
Do I need to identify all of the authors of the works being registered?
Yes.
If the works were created by one author, you should identify that author in the application.
If the works were created by two or more co-authors, you should identify all the co-authors in the application.
Do the works need to be created by the same author?
All works included in the group must be created by the same author or the works must have a common joint author.
This requirement may be satised if all of the works were created by one author. If the works were created by two or
more authors, then one of the authors must have contributed copyrightable authorship to each and every work in being
registered the group.
Note: The other registration requirements must also be met, including the requirement that the copyright claimant or co-
claimants for each work must be the same person(s) or organization.
Can I register works with multiple co-authors?
You may be able to register works created by two or more authors. To do so, there must be a common joint author for every
work being registered in the group.
The “common author” requirement may be satised if the works were created by identical co-authors.
This requirement may also be satised if each work was co-created by the same co-author. In other words, at least one of
the co-authors must have contributed copyrightable authorship to each and every work in the group being registered.
Note: The other registration requirements must also be met, including the requirement that the copyright claimant or co-
claimants for each work must be the same person(s) or organization.
Example:
Track Authors
1 A B
2 A B
A B
Tracks 1, 2, and 3 have a common joint author, because each work was created by the same co-authors (A B).
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Example:
Track Authors
A B
A C
A D
Tracks 4, 5, and 6 have a common joint author, because A is the co-author of each work—even though A co-created these
works with a dierent co-author (B, C, D).
Example:
Track Authors
A B
A C
D E
Tracks 7 and 8 have a common joint author, because A is the co-author of those works—even though A co-created Tracks 7
and 8 with a dierent co-author (B, C).
By contrast, Track 9 doesn’t have a common joint author, because the authors of that work (D & E) did not create Tracks 7 or 8.
Likewise, A did not co-create Track 9 and therefore is not a common joint author for that work.
I want to register some photographs, artwork, and liner notes, along with my sound recordings. Do the authors of the
works need to be the same?
You may register two or more sound recordings and any photographs, artwork, or liner notes that were rst published on the
same album. To do so, the works must have been created by the same author or there must be a common joint author for all
of the works being registered.
The common joint author requirement may be satised if the sound recordings and the accompanying material were
created by the same author.
This requirement may also be satised if at least one of the joint authors contributed copyrightable authorship to each and
every work in the group being registered.
Note: The other registration requirements must also be met, including the requirement that the copyright claimant or co-
claimants for each work must be the same person(s) or organization.
Example:
Works Author
Sound Recording (Track 1) Record Label A
Sound Recording (Track 2) Record Label A
Photograph Record Label A
Artwork Record Label A
These works have a common joint author, because every work was created by the same organization (Record Label A).
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 7
Example:
Works Authors
Sound Recording (Track 3)
Performer A
Performer B
Sound Recording (Track 4)
Performer A
Performer B
Artwork
Performer A
Performer B
Liner Notes
Performer A
Performer B
These works have a common joint author, because Performer A is the author or co-author of each and every work—even
though Performer A co-created Tracks 3 and 4 with Performer B).
Example:
Works Author
Sound Recording (Track 5) Record Label A
Sound Recording (Track 6) Record Label A
Liner Notes Record Label A
Photographs Photographer E
The sound recordings and liner notes have a common joint author because they were created by the same author, Record
Label A, but Record Label A did not create any of the photographs.
The photographs can’t be included in the claim, because the author of the photographs (Photographer E) is not the author
or co-author of the sound recordings or the liner notes.
Claimant Information
Who is the copyright claimant?
The copyright claimant may either be (1) the author of all of the works in the group being registered, or (2) a person or
organization that has obtained ownership of all of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of all of the works in
the group being registered.
Do all of the works need to have the same claimant?
Yes. The copyright claimant or co-claimants for each work listed in the application must all be the same person(s) or the
same organization.
The copyright claimant may either be (1) the author of all of the works in the group being registered, or (2) a person or
organization that has obtained ownership of all of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of all of the works in
the group being registered.
If you plan to name an author as the claimant then all of the works being registered must be created by the same author or
a unifying author.
If you plan to name a third party as claimant (such as a music publisher or record label), that party must have obtained
ownership of all rights of the exclusive rights under the copyright initially belonging to an author of all of the works being
registered. And you must provide a transfer statement that explains how that party obtained ownership of all the exclusive
rights.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 8
I want to name the authors as the copyright claimants. Can I do that?
An author may be named as the copyright claimant, but all of the works in the group must be created by the same author,
or the works must have a common joint author, and the copyright claimant or co-claimants for each work must all be the
same person(s) or organization.
I want to name a third party as the copyright claimant, such as a music publisher or record label. Can I do that?
A third party may be named as the copyright claimant if that party owns all of the exclusive rights initially belonging to
an author of all of the works in the group being registered. A third party that obtained all of the exclusive rights from a co-
author of all of the works being registered may be listed as claimant, even if the third party has not received rights from the
other co-authors of those works.
A party that owns one or more—but less than all—of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of all of the works
in the group being registered cannot be named as a claimant.
If you plan to name a third party as the copyright claimant, you should only list the works that are owned by that third
party. If the third party does not own all of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of a work in the group being
registered, you should not list that work in the application.
Example:
Tracks Authors
Owner of All
of the Authors'
Exclusive Rights
1 A & B Publisher X
2 A & C Publisher X
A and B created Track 1. A and C created Track 2. A, B, and C transferred all of their exclusive rights to Publisher X by written
agreement. Tracks 1 and 2 may be registered with the same application, naming Publisher X as the claimant for those works.
Example:
Tracks Authors
Owner of 50 percent
of the Authors'
Publishing Rights
Owner of All
Other Exclusive
Rights
1 D & E Publisher Y D & E
2 D & E Publisher Y D & E
D and E created Tracks 1 and 2. Both authors transferred 50 percent of their publishing rights to Publisher Y. The authors
retained the rest of their exclusive rights. Tracks 1 and 2 may be registered with the same application, naming authors D
and/or E as the claimants for the works. Publisher Y cannot be named as a claimant, because the publisher owns some—but
not all—of the exclusive rights in those works.
A third party may be named as the copyright claimant if that party owns all of the exclusive rights initially belonging to
an author of all of the works in the group being registered.
What are the “exclusive rights” that must be fully owned by the third party?
The Copyright Act provides authors with the exclusive rights listed below.
A third party (such as a music publisher or record label) may be named as the copyright claimant if that party owns all of
the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of all of the works being registered. If a third party owns some—but not
all—of these rights, that party cannot be a copyright claimant.
(1) The exclusive right to reproduce the copyrighted work in copies or phonorecords.
(2) The exclusive right to prepare derivative works based upon the copyrighted work.
(3) The exclusive right to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of
ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending.
(4) The exclusive right to publicly perform the following types of copyrighted works: musical works or literary works.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 9
(5) The exclusive right to publicly display the following types of copyrighted works: musical works, literary works, pictorial
works, or graphic works.
(6) The exclusive right to publicly perform the following type of work by means of a digital audio transmission: sound
recordings.
The author transferred their right to reproduce and distribute the work to a third party (such as a music publisher or
record label). The author retained the remainder of the exclusive rights in their work.
Can the third party be named as a copyright claimant?
No. In this situation, the author may be named as the copyright claimant. The third party cannot be listed as a claimant.
A third party may only be named as the copyright claimant if that party owns all of the exclusive rights initially belonging
to an author of all of the works in the group being registered.
A party that owns one or more—but less than all—of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of all of the works
in the group being registered cannot be named as a claimant.
The author transferred 50 percent of their distribution rights to a third party (such as a music publisher or record label).
The author retained the rest of the distribution rights in their works.
Can the third party be named as a copyright claimant?
No. In this situation, the author may be named as the copyright claimant. The third party cannot be listed as a claimant.
A third party may only be named as the copyright claimant if that party owns all of the exclusive rights initially belonging
to an author of all of the works being registered.
A party that owns less than 100 percent of the author’s exclusive rights in a work being registered cannot be named as a
claimant.
The author transferred their exclusive rights to a third party (such as a music publisher or record label). Can the author
still be named as the copyright claimant?
Yes. An author may be named as the copyright claimant if all of their rights in the works being registered were transferred
to another party.
Example:
Tracks Author
Owner of All
of the Author's
Exclusive Rights
1 A Publisher X
2 A Publisher X
A Publisher X
A created Tracks 1, 2, and 3. A transferred all of their exclusive rights to Publisher X by written agreement.
A may be named as the copyright claimant, even though the author does not own any of the exclusive rights in this work.
Alternatively, Publisher X may be named as the claimant, because the publisher owns all of the exclusive rights in all of the
works being registered.
Example:
Tracks Authors
Owner of All
of the Authors'
Exclusive Rights
A & B Publisher X
A & B Publisher Y
A & B created Tracks 4 and 5. The authors transferred all of their exclusive rights in Track 4 to Publisher X. And they
transferred all of their exclusive rights in Track 5 to Publisher Y.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 10
Tracks 4 and 5 may be registered with the group registration application. To do so, A and/or B must be named as the
copyright claimant for each work (even though the authors don’t own any of the exclusive rights in this work).
Publishers X and Y cannot be named in the group registration application, because they do not own all of the exclusive
rights initially belonging to an author in all of the works being registered.
If the publishers want to be named as the copyright claimant, the applicant must submit a separate application, deposit,
and fee for each work and must submit the claim with the Standard Application (NOT the group registration application).
The author transferred some—but not all—of their exclusive rights to a third party (such as a music publisher or
record label).
I want to include the copyright owner’s name in the registration record. Can I do that?
A third party may be named as the copyright claimant in a group registration application if that party owns all of the
exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of all of the works being registered.
If a third party owns one or more—but less than all—of the exclusive rights initially belonging to an author of a work
being registered, that party cannot be named as a claimant in a group registration application. However, you may record
the document that transferred the exclusive rights to that party. For information about recordation, see “Recordation of
Transfers and Other Documents,” copyright.gov/recordation/documents/.
Publication Information
Can I register published and unpublished works with the same application?
No. Every work you submit must be published. And generally, all of the works must be rst published on the same album on
the same date.
Note: There is a limited exception to this rule. A musical work or sound recording that was previously published as
an individual work (such as a single) before it was published on the album may be included in the claim if certain
requirements are met.
Can I register musical works or sound recordings that were published on dierent dates?
As a general rule, all of the works being registered must be rst published on the same album on the same date.
There is a limited exception to this rule. A musical work or a sound recording that was previously published as an individual
work (such as a single) may be included in the claim if certain requirements are met. The previously published work must
be expressly claimed in the “Note to Copyright Oce” section of the application, by including the title of the work, the
complete date (MM/DD/YYYY) that the work was rst published, and a brief statement conrming that the previously
published track is exactly the same as the track published on the album.
Can I register photographs, artwork, or liner notes that were published on dierent dates?
No.
All of the photographs, artwork, and liner notes must be rst published on the same album and on the same date.
DO NOT include any photographs, artwork, or liner notes works that were previously published before they were released on
the album.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 11
Titles of the Works
Do I need to provide a title for each musical work and each sound recording?
Yes.
You must provide a title for each musical work that you submit with the online application for “Musical Works from an
Album.”
Likewise, you must provide a title for each sound recording that you submit with the online application for “Sound
Recordings from an Album.”
Do I need to provide a track number for each work?
Yes. You must identify the track number that was assigned to each work when it was published on the album.
I want to register the photographs, artwork, and liner notes that were rst published on the album. How do I provide a
title for this material?
If you submit the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album,” you may include photographs, artwork, or
liner notes that were rst published on the same album, but you do not need to provide a title for those works. A “generic”
title will be automatically added to your application. The generic title will consist of the phrase “[Photos/Artwork/Liner
notes] rst published on the album” followed by the album title.
If you prefer to provide a specic title for these types of works, consult the help text for the online applications for “Sound
Recordings from an Album.”
If I upload a copy of my musical works or sound recordings, do the le names need to match the titles listed in the
application?
Yes. The le name for each musical work or each sound recording that you upload must match the corresponding title
listed in the application. The le name should also include the track number that was assigned to each work when it was
published on the album.
For example, if you want to register three works titled “The Birthday Party,” “The Wedding Party,” and “The Dinner Party,”
and if those works were released on the same album as Track numbers 2, 4, and 6, the les you upload to the electronic
registration system should be named “02thebirthdayparty.mp3,” “04theweddingparty.mp3,” and “06thedinnerparty.mp3.”
Note: If you are registering sound recordings that were published in a physical format (such as a compact disc or vinyl
record), you must submit physical copies of the album instead of uploading digital les. Read more.
I plan to upload a copy of my photographs, artwork, and liner notes to the electronic registration system. Does the le
name for each work need to match the titles listed in the application?
If you submit the online application for “Sound Recordings from an Album,” you may include photographs, artwork, or
liner notes that were rst published on the same album. However, you don’t need to provide a title for those works. A
“generic” title will be automatically added to your application. The generic title will consist of the phrase “[Photos/Artwork/
Liner notes] rst published on the album” followed by the album title.
The le name for the photographs, artwork, or liner notes should identify the type of work you plan to submit. For example,
if you plan to register a photograph, the word “photo” should be included in the le name. If you plan to register artwork,
the word “artwork” should be included in the le name.
If you plan to submit multiple items then the le name for each work should be appropriately labeled and numbered to
distinguish them from each other, such as “photo 1,” “photo 2,” “photo 3,” “artwork 1,” “artwork 2,” “artwork 3,” and so on.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 12
Can I register “hidden tracks” that were published on the same album? How do I provide titles for these works?
Yes. For instructions on how to register works released on “hidden tracks,” consult the help text for the online applications
for “Musical Works from an Album” and “Sound Recordings from an Album.”
Do I need to provide the title of the album?
Yes.
Do I need to identify the record label that released the album?
You are encouraged to include this information in the application, but it is not required for registration.
Do I need to provide the cataloging number that was assigned to the album by the record label?
You are encouraged to include this information in the application, but it is not required for registration.
Do I need to provide a title for the group as a whole?
No. A group title will be automatically added to your application. The group title will consist of the phrase “Works published
on the album [Album Title].”
For example, if your songs were released on the album “Solar System,” the group title will be “Works published on the
album Solar System.”
Can I provide a title for my “collection” of works?
No.
DO NOT provide a “collection” title in the application. If you provide a “collection” title, the Copyright Oce will remove that
title from the record.
A title for the entire group will be added automatically to your application. The group title will consist of the phrase “Works
published on the album [Album Title].”
A “group title" was automatically assigned to my claim. Can I change this title?
No.
The “group title” that will be assigned to these claims will consist of the phrase “Works published on the album [Album
Title].” The same format will be used for every GRAM registration to facilitate searches of the Oce’s public records.
Submitting the Works to the Copyright Office
Can I upload an electronic copy of my works?
Whether you can upload your works will depend on what you are registering and how it was published.
If you are registering a group of musical works (with or without lyrics), you are strongly encouraged to upload separate
audio les that contain a digital copy of each work being registered (regardless of whether the album was distributed in a
digital or physical format).
If you are registering sound recordings, and if the album was distributed solely in a digital format and not distributed in a
physical form (such as compact disc, vinyl record, etc.), then you may upload separate audio les that contain a digital copy
of each recording that you want to register. You may also upload a digital copy of any photographs, artwork, or liner notes
that are being registered.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 13
If you are registering sound recordings rst published in the United States, and if the album was distributed in a physical
format (such as compact disc, vinyl record, etc.), you must send two physical copies of the best edition of the entire album,
including any printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as photographs, artwork,
or liner notes appearing on the album cover).
If you are registering sound recordings, and if the album was rst published in a physical format outside the United States
(but was not published in the United States), then you must send one physical copy of the album as published in the foreign
country, including any printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as photographs,
artwork, or liner notes appearing on the album cover). If the album was rst published in a foreign country and later
published in the United States, you may send one copy of the album that was rst published in the foreign country or one
copy of the best edition that was published in the United States.
I plan to upload a copy of my musical works or sound recordings. Does the le name for each work need to match the titles
listed in the application?
Yes.
When you complete the application you must provide the title and track number for each musical work or each sound
recording that you want to register. If you upload a digital copy of each work, the name assigned to each digital le must
match the corresponding titles that you listed in the application. The le name should also include the track number that
was assigned to each work when it was published on the album.
For example, if you want to register three works titled “The Birthday Party,” “The Wedding Party,” and “The Dinner Party,”
and if those works were released on the same album as Track numbers 2, 4, and 6, the les you upload to the electronic
registration system should be named “02thebirthdayparty.mp3,” “04theweddingparty.mp3,” and “06thedinnerparty.mp3.”
I plan to upload a digital copy of my works to the electronic registration system. Can I submit all the works in one
electronic le?
No. Each work must be uploaded to the electronic registration system in a separate electronic le. DO NOT submit all your
works in the same electronic le (such as a .ZIP le or a single MP3 le).
Do I need to submit a physical copy of my works?
Whether you can upload your works will depend on what you are registering and how it was published.
If you are registering musical works (with or without lyrics), you are strongly encouraged to upload separate audio les
that contain a digital copy of each work being registered (regardless of whether the album was distributed in a digital or
physical format). You do not need to send a physical copy of your works.
If you are registering sound recordings, and if the album was distributed solely in a digital format and not distributed in
a physical form (such as a compact disc, vinyl record, etc.), then you may upload separate audio les that contain a digital
copy of each recording that you want to register. You may also upload a digital copy of any photographs, artwork, or liner
notes that are being registered.
If you are registering sound recordings rst published in the United States, and if the album was distributed in a physical
format (such as compact disc, vinyl record, etc.), you must send two physical copies of the best edition of the entire album,
including any printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as photographs, artwork,
or liner notes appearing on the album cover).
If you are registering sound recordings, and if the album was distributed in a physical format in a foreign country (but
was not distributed in the United States), then you must send one physical copy of the album that was rst published in
the foreign country, including any printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as
photographs, artwork, or liner notes appearing on the album cover). If the album was rst published in a foreign country
and later published in the United States, you may send one copy of the album that was rst published overseas or one copy
of the best edition that was published in this country.
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 14
Do I just need to submit a copy of the works that I’m registering? Or do I need to submit all of the tracks that were
published on the album?
If you are registering musical works (with or without lyrics), you are strongly encouraged to submit separate audio les that
contain a copy of each musical work being registered. You do not need to submit a copy of the entire album.
If you are registering sound recordings, and if the album was distributed solely in a digital format and not distributed in
a physical form (such as a compact disc, vinyl record, etc.), then you may upload separate audio les that contain a digital
copy of each recording that you want to register. You may also upload a digital copy of any photographs, artwork, or liner
notes that are being registered. You do not need to submit a copy of the entire album.
If you are registering sound recordings rst published in the United States, and if the album was distributed in a physical
format (such as compact disc, vinyl record, etc.), you must send two physical copies of the best edition of the entire album,
including any printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as photographs, artwork,
or liner notes appearing on the album cover).
If you are registering sound recordings, and if the album was distributed in a physical format in a foreign country (but was
not distributed in the United States), then you must send one physical copy of the entire album that was rst published
in the foreign country, including any printed or visually perceptible material that was distributed with the album (such as
photographs, artwork, or liner notes appearing on the album cover). If the album was rst published in a foreign country
and later published in the United States, you may send one copy of the album that was rst published in the foreign
country or one copy of the best edition that was published in the United States.
One of my works was rst published as a single before it was published on the album. Do I need to submit a copy of both
the single and the album?
No.
A musical work or a sound recording that was previously published as an individual work (such as a single) before it was
published on the album may be included in the claim if certain requirements are met.
In all cases, you must submit a copy of the track that was published on the album. DO NOT submit a separate copy of the
single.
Where do I nd information about how to upload my works?
The Copyright Oce created a video that provides step-by-step instructions for uploading your works to the electronic
registration system. [coming soon]
The help text for the online application for “Musical Works from an Album” and the online application for “Sound
Recordings from an Album” provides detailed instructions on how to submit your works.
You can also call the Public Information Oce, at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free).
Do I need to upload my works in a particular format?
If you upload your works to the electronic registration system, each work must be submitted in an acceptable file format. A
list of acceptable formats is posted on the Oce’s website.
All of les must be uploaded as individual electronic les. DO NOT upload your works in a .ZIP le.
I need to submit a physical copy of my works. Where do I nd information about how to do that?
The Copyright Oce created a video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to send physical copies. [coming soon]
The help text for the online application for “Musical Works from an Album” and the online application for “Sound
Recordings from an Album” provides detailed instructions on how to submit your works.
You can also call the Public Information Oce, at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free).
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 15
Do I need to submit a lyric sheet for each work?
No. DO NOT submit a separate document containing the lyrics for each work being registered. If you are registering musical
works (with or without lyrics), you must submit a separate audio recording of each work (regardless of whether the album
was distributed in a digital or physical format).
Registering and Album as a Collective Work
Can I use the group registration application to register a claim in an entire album as a collective work?
No. The group registration option is for registering individual works contained on the album. You may register an entire
album with the Standard Application and ling fee if the album qualies as a “collective work.”
If you want to register an album as a collective work, you must use the Standard Application, pay the nonrefundable
ling fee, and submit the appropriate deposit copy of the entire album. DO NOT use the group registration application for
“Musical Works from the Same Album” or “Sound Recordings from the Same Album.”
What is a collective work?
A “collective work” is a type of compilation that contains “a number of contributions, constituting separate and
independent works in themselves” that have been “assembled into a collective whole.”
An album may be registered as a collective work if it contains a sucient number of contributions and if there is a sucient
amount of creativity in the selection, coordination, or arrangement of those contributions. The component contributions
may be included in the registration if certain requirements are met.
Does a collective work registration cover the musical works and/or sound recordings that are included within the album?
A collective work registration may cover the musical works and/or sound recordings that are included within that album if
the following requirements have been met:
First, each individual work must contain a sucient amount of original authorship. Second, the copyright in the collective
work and the individual component works must be owned by the same party. And third, the individual works must not have
been previously published or registered and they cannot be in the public domain.
Where do I nd the Standard Application?
Log into your eCO account here. Click the link for “Standard Application” under the heading “Register a Work” on the left
side of the home screen. Then select “Sound Recording” or “Work of the Performing Arts” from the drop-down menu on the
“Type of Work” screen.
Click here if you need help nding this link.
If you need help choosing the correct form, you can read Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings (Circular 56A),
you can call the Public Information Oce at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free), or you can send us an email at
copyinfo@copyright.gov.
Where can I learn about collective work registrations?
These FAQs provide introductory information about registering an album as a collective work.
For more information, you can read Multiple Works (Circular 34), you can call the Public Information Oce at (202) 707-3000
group registration of works on an album of music (GRAM) – frequently asked questions page 16
Supplementary Registration
I registered a group of works that were published on the same album. I found an error on my certicate. I also want to
add some information to the certicate. Can I do this?
You may be able to correct or amplify the information in a registration certicate by submitting an application for
supplementary registration.
Important Note: Before submitting a supplementary registration application, you must contact the Public Information
Oce for guidance on how to complete the form.
To reach the Public Information Oce, call us at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free) or send us an email at
copyinfo@copyright.gov.
Where do I nd the application for supplementary registration?
You must submit an online application through the eCO system.
Important Note: Before submitting a supplementary registration application, you must contact the Public Information
Oce for guidance on how to complete the form.
To reach the Public Information Oce, call us at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free) or send us an email at
copyinfo@copyright.gov.
Where can I learn more about supplementary registration?
These FAQs provide introductory information about supplementary registration. You can also read the circular, call the
Public Information Oce at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free), or send us an email at copyinfo@copyright.gov.
