INSTRUCTION: FORM SR

All sound recordings of musical or spoken word projects and related creative works can be copyrighted with use of the Form SR. The only exception noted by the United States Copyright Office concerns audio that is part of a project that also has a visual component, such as a tape which accompanies a film strip. You may obtain a copy of the Form SR from the website of the United States Copyright Office.

Form SR Step 1: In section one, record the title of the work. You may list the contents in the space provided or on a continuation sheet if you wish, such as the track listing of an album.

Form SR Step 2: Section two records information concerning the authors. In the case of audio recordings, the Copyright Office finds a distinction between those responsible for the sound and those responsible for recording it. Each author should have their name and birth/death dates unless they wish to be anonymous or pseudonymous. However, in any case their country of citizenship and place where they maintain a house should be recorded. Under "nature of authorship," note a contribution such as "music" or "producer."

Form SR Step 3: In section 3, note the date on which creation of the work was concluded. If the audio recording has been previously published, record the date and country as well.

Form SR Step 4: In section four, enter the name and address of the person filing for a claim of copyright. If a non-author filing a copyright claim, include a brief explanation concerning the means by which you obtained this right.

Form SR Step 5: If your work was unpublished and copyrighted previously, has been altered since being previously copyrighted, or this is the first time the author has sought copyright, note this in section five.

Form SR Step 6: In section 6a, describe any preexisting material that is part of the recording being registered. In section 6b, describe how it has been modified. For example, it may have been substantially remixed or had new lyrics added.

Form SR Step 7: Record your address or deposit number already if already established with the Copyright Office in section 7. Sign and date section 8.

Form SR Step 9: Review instructions at top of form to determine how many copies to submit of the work.