Re: copyright and public records

On 02/24/2000, Barbara Friedman <blfriedman[_at_]bryancavellp.com> wrote:
>
> If one files a copyright registration -- say for software -- does the
> source code filed as the deposit copy become a public record? Can
> anyone access the material? Will the Copyright Office provide it to
> anyone who requests it? Someone just mentioned the trade secret
> provision of the Copyright Act as a way to keep the material secret.
> Has anyone heard of this?

The CO has procedures for dealing with source code. Circular 61 contains the requirements for deposit for Computer Programs. Basically though, they want the first and last 25 pages of the source code. If there are trade secrets in the source code then you are allowed to block those areas out. Just include a cover letter stating the deposit contains trade secrets.

The details are in <http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/circs/circ61.pdf>

Thanks,

Rob Jones

robjones[_at_]robjob.com
robjob[_at_]robjones.com Received on Fri Feb 25 2000 - 14:33:36 GMT