Re: Errors in USCO database

Spectrum Press wrote:
>
> I would like to bring to the attention of this list the problem of
> the possibility of errors in the U.S. Copyright Office computerized
> database of copyright registrations.
>

[snip]
>
> Dan Agin

As a professional copyright researcher, I and my friendly competitors find many, many errors in the U.S. Copyright Office on-line system.

It is riddled with inaccuracies, and I blame them on the data entry clerks. The Copyright Office turns the registration process into many, many discrete processes, and the data entry people have little or no contact with the examiners.

When I receive the certificate for a registration I filed, I always check the on-line record. Errors are common, though significant errors are rare. To their credit, the Copyright Office promptly fixes mistakes that are brought to their attention.

Unfortunately, the Copyright Office has cut back on some of the cross checks that existed in the old card catalog system. For example, in the past, renewals used to be filed in the card catalog (under title and claimant), and the renewal number was hand-written on the original registration certificate. If you were conducting a search, and found a registration in the card catalog, but not a renewal, you could always double check by examining the original certificate.

Newly filed registration certificates are now only available on a videodisc system. That removes the ability of the examiners to mark up the original applications. (This is still relevant because as the law currently reads, it is possible to file a registration and renewal for a 1969 film at the same time).

This matters, because (as one example) a very good 1962 film was registered as DAVID AND LISA, but renewed as DAVID & LISA. There is no cross reference in the Copyright Office on-line system.

David Pierce
<sunrise[_at_]dc.infi.net>

Silent Film Sources
Updates and news the first of every month beginning in November http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm Received on Tue Oct 29 1996 - 01:31:46 GMT