Claim Limit

I have a question regarding the "Claim Limit" field for records retrieved from the U.S. Copyright Office database
(www.copyright.gov/records/cohm.html). Specifically, I'm wondering
about copyrighted works that have been compiled from personal diaries, letters, or previously published works. Many of these types of works have a "Claim Limit" field (see example below) that lists various elements relevant to "new matter". I'm finding varied explanations of this "claim limit" and am hoping that somebody can provide some clarity. Thanks for any insight you may wish to share.

Registration Number: TX-5-912-282
Title: Burning rails as we pleased / edited by Barbara Bentley Smith and

                  Nina Bentley Baker.

Imprint: Jefferson, NC : McFarland, c2004. Description: 226 p.
Claimant: Barbara Bentley Smith & Nina Bentley Baker Created: 2004

Published: 31Jan04

Registered: 1Mar04

Claim Limit: NEW MATTER: editing, compilations, additions. Special Codes: 1/B/L           

Tony McMullen
Systems Librarian
Reeves Memorial Library
Seton Hill University
1 Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
(724)830-4616

FAX: 724-838-4203
mcmullen[_at_]setonhill.edu   Received on Wed Jun 21 2006 - 06:05:45 GMT