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Elizabeth Shieldkret
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This is a copy of Form Letter 109 from the United States Copyright Office at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/fls/fl109 You can also view this as a PDF file.

Books, Manuscripts and Speeches

A published or unpublished book or manuscript may be submitted for registration in the Copyright Office. Form TX should be used to apply for copyright registration for textual works, with or without illustrations. Form TX is appropriate for registration of nondramatic literary works including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, contributions to collective works, compilations, directories, catalogs, dissertations, theses, reports, speeches, bound or looseleaf volumes, pamphlets, brochures, and single pages containing text. Form SE should be used to apply for copyright registration for serial publications including: periodicals, newspapers, magazines, bulletins, newsletters, annuals, and journals.

To register a book or manuscript, send the following three elements in the same envelope or package to the Register of Copyrights, Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20559:

1. A completed application Form TX;
2. A nonrefundable filing fee of $30.00;
3. A nonreturnable deposit of the work. The deposit requirements depend on whether the work has been published at the time of registration:

   -- If the work is unpublished, one complete copy or phonorecord.

   -- If the work was first published in the United States on or after January 1, 1978, two complete copies or phonorecords of the best edition.

   -- If the work was first published in the United States before January 1, 1978, two complete copies or phonorecords as first published.

   -- If the work was first published outside of the United States, one complete copy or phonorecord of the work as first published.

   -- If the work is a contribution to a collective work, and published after January 1, 1978, one complete copy or phonorecord of the best edition of the collective work.

Copyright protects only the particular manner of an author's expression in literary, artistic, or musical form. Copyright protection does not extend to names, titles, short phrases, ideas, systems, or methods.

***Last update 6/14/93 (raa)***