Re: copyright and public records

On Thu, Feb 24, 2000, Barbara L. 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? Somene just mentioned the trade secret
> provision of the Copyright Act as a way to keep the material secret.
> Has anyone heard of this?

In the case of source code, the Copyright Office allows registrants to protect their trade secrets by redacting up to 49% of each page of source code when filing a deposit with the Copyright Office. As far as I know there is no circumstance in which a deposit filed with the Copyright Office is shielded from disclosure to the public.

> Robert C. Cumbow
> Graham & Dunn, P.C.
> 1420 Fifth Avenue, 33rd Floor
> Seattle, Washington 98101-2390
> Phone: 206-340-9619
> Fax: 206-340-9599
> E-mail: rcumbow[_at_]grahamdunn.com
> Website: http://www.grahamdunn.com/
>

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