The U.S. Copyright Office has several forms for registering copyrights. The most commonly used forms are summarized below.
Form TX
Form TX is used to register published or unpublished nondramatic literary works, excluding periodicals or serial issues. This class includes a wide variety of works: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, textbooks, reference works, directories, catalogs, advertising, copy, compilations of information and computer programs.
Form PA
Form PA is used to register published or unpublished works in the performing arts. This class includes works prepared for the purpose of being "performed" directly before an audience or indirectly "by means of any device or process." Performing artworks include:
Musical works, including any accompanying words
dramatic works, including any accompanying music
pantomimes and choreographic works
motion pictures and other audiovisual works
Form VA
Form VA is used to register published or unpublished works in the visual arts. This category consists of "pictorial, graphic or sculptural works," including two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art, photographs, prints, and art reproductions, maps, globes, charts, technical drawings, diagrams and models.
Form SR
Form SR is used to register the performance and production of a particular recording of sounds. This differs from Form PA, which is used for the underlying music or composition. For example, the Boston Philharmonic's performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony would be registered on Form SR. If Beethoven were still alive, he would register his composition on Form PA.
Form SE
Form SE is used to register periodicals, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, annuals, journals and other works issued or intended to be issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designations. Form SE registers the periodical as a whole. Individual articles appearing in a magazine or newsletter would be registered on Form TX.
