<html><head></head><body><div class="ydpf4e2822byahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span><span style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">But if I write a play, and we perform the play for an audience, and I make copies of my play available for purchase in the lobby and <i><b><u>10 people I don't know buy copies,</u></b></i> then that sounds a lot more like publication. </span></span><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span><span style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><br></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2">My fact pattern does NOT include selling a copy of the play. That would clearly be publication. I did not ask about that fact pattern. In fact if that was the case I would not have to ask.</font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2">My issue is that my client has not made the play available to the public in any form other than performance. According to the statute and compendium that is NOT publication. </font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2">best,</font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2"><br>Nancy </font></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" style=""><font color="#26282a" face="georgia, serif" size="2"><br></font></div>
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On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 02:28:44 PM EDT, Jessica R. Friedman <jrfriedman@litproplaw.com> wrote:
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<div dir="ltr">I agree with Ed.</div>
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<div style="direction:ltr;">Jessica R. Friedman</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;">Attorney at Law</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;">(917) 647-1884</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;">jrfriedman@litproplaw.com</div>
<div style="direction:ltr;">www.literarypropertylaw.com</div>
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<div id="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432yqt90706" class="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432yqt0870613415"><div dir="ltr" id="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432divRplyFwdMsg"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size:11pt;" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> Edward Timberlake <ed@timberlakelaw.com><br clear="none">
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, June 18, 2024 2:13:17 PM<br clear="none">
<b>To:</b> For copyright practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <copyright@oppedahl-lists.com><br clear="none">
<b>Cc:</b> Elizabeth Russell <beth@erklaw.com>; Jessica R. Friedman <jrfriedman@litproplaw.com>; Nancy Prager <nancyprager@yahoo.com><br clear="none">
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Copyright] Publication of a Play for purposes of a copyright application</font>
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;" class="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432x_gmail_default">As I recall, part of the idea behind the concept of "publication" is an attempt to assess when copies of a work have moved outside the author's control. </div>
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;" class="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432x_gmail_default">If I write a play and toss it in my bottom drawer, we'd say the work is clearly unpublished. </div>
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;" class="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432x_gmail_default">If I write a play and give my mom a copy, and also give one copy each to three actors so we can have a public read-through of the play, we'd probably still say the work was unpublished
(at least in part because I could easily get my copies back from everybody if I asked). </div>
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;" class="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432x_gmail_default">But if I write a play, and we perform the play for an audience, and I make copies of my play available for purchase in the lobby and 10 people I don't know buy copies, then that
sounds a lot more like publication. </div>
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<div><font face="georgia, serif" size="2">Sincerely,</font></div>
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<div style="font-size:small;"><font face="georgia, serif" size="2">Ed Timberlake </font></div>
<div style="font-size:small;"><font face="georgia, serif" size="2"><i><a shape="rect" href="https://www.nclawspecialists.gov/for-the-public/find-a-board-certified-specialist/results/detail/?id=29473" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law</a></i></font></div>
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><a shape="rect" href="http://timberlakelaw.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><b>Timberlake Law</b></a></div>
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><a shape="rect" href="https://clarity.fm/edtimberlake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Schedule a call on Clarity</a><br clear="none">
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<div style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><a shape="rect" href="mailto:ed@timberlakelaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ed@timberlakelaw.com</a><br clear="none">
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<div dir="ltr" class="ydpccc414cyiv1337880432x_gmail_attr">On Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 1:54 PM Nancy Prager via Copyright <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:copyright@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copyright@oppedahl-lists.com</a>> wrote:<br clear="none">
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<div dir="ltr">Section 1908</div>
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<div>Examples of performances and displays that do not in themselves constitute publication include the following: .... Performing a play, a pantomime, or a choreographic work in a theater.</div>
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<div dir="ltr">Elsewhere they say distributing copies does not necessarily mean something has been published. </div>
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<div dir="ltr">Would love to find something definitive that supports your approach because it is the situation here... lots of people have copies of the play. </div>
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<div>On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 01:43:39 PM EDT, Jessica R. Friedman <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:jrfriedman@litproplaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jrfriedman@litproplaw.com</a>> wrote:
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<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(10,47,65);">I still think they would be considered to be within the overall organization that is producing the play, even if they literally work for a different company, so I don’t think it would
even be a limited publication.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(10,47,65);"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(10,47,65);">Does the Copyright Compendium have anything to say on this question?</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">Jessica R. Friedman</span><span style="color:black;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">Attorney at Law</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">300 East 59 Street, Ste. 2406</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">New York, NY 10022</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">Phone: 212-220-0900</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">Cell: 917-647-1884</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">E-mail:</span><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:blue;"> <u><a shape="rect" href="mailto:jrfriedman@litproplaw.com" title="mailto:jrfriedman@litproplaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193);">jrfriedman@litproplaw.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);">URL: </span><u><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:blue;"><a shape="rect" href="http://www.literarypropertylaw.com" title="http://www.literarypropertylaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193);">www.literarypropertylaw.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(0,51,102);"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;"></span></p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><b><span style="color:black;">From: </span></b><span style="color:black;">Copyright <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:copyright-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copyright-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>> on behalf of Nancy Prager via Copyright
<<a shape="rect" href="mailto:copyright@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copyright@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br clear="none">
<b>Date: </b>Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 1:06</span><span style="font-family:sans-serif;color:black;"> </span><span style="color:black;">PM<br clear="none">
<b>To: </b>For copyright practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:copyright@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copyright@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>, Elizabeth Russell <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:beth@erklaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beth@erklaw.com</a>><br clear="none">
<b>Cc: </b>Nancy Prager <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:nancyprager@yahoo.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nancyprager@yahoo.com</a>><br clear="none">
<b>Subject: </b>Re: [Copyright] Publication of a Play for purposes of a copyright application</span></p>
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<p><span>Great question. Distributing the copies to the talent and production personnel should count but it would likely be considered a distribution to a limited audience. </span><span style="font-family:sans-serif;color:black;">A <span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;">publication</span> is
deemed “limited” where “copies of the work are distributed both (1) to a ‘definitely selected group,’ and (2) for a limited purpose, without </span><em><span style="font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;">the right
of further reproduction, distribution or sale.</span></em><span style="font-family:sans-serif;color:black;">” (emphasis added)</span><span style="font-family:sans-serif;">Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences v. Creative House Promotions, Inc., 944 F.2d
1446, 19 U.S.P.Q.2d 1491 (9th Cir. 1991).</span><span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:sans-serif;color:black;">§ 7:3. Publication considerations, Copyright Registration Practice § 7:3</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);">On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 12:56:59 PM EDT, Elizabeth Russell <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:beth@erklaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beth@erklaw.com</a>> wrote:
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<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);">What about the distribution of printed scripts to production personnel? The rehearsal hall is at least a semi public place; the personnel are not a social circle; and the distribution
is for “the purpose of” public performance.</span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);"> </span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);"> </span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);">Elizabeth T Russell</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"><a shape="rect" href="mailto:beth@erklaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beth@erklaw.com</a></span></p>
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<p><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);"> Copyright <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:copyright-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copyright-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Nancy Prager via Copyright<br clear="none">
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, June 18, 2024 12:44 PM<br clear="none">
<b>To:</b> for Copyright Practitioners <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:copyright@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copyright@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br clear="none">
<b>Cc:</b> Nancy Prager <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:nancyprager@yahoo.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nancyprager@yahoo.com</a>><br clear="none">
<b>Subject:</b> [Copyright] Publication of a Play for purposes of a copyright application</span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);">Dear colleagues....<br clear="none">
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A client has a play in production. The iniital performance date is not the date of publication since public performance is not considered publication. So what is?
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Is a play considered unpublished until someone literally publishes the play (most likely through a licensing arrangement)? </span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
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If not, what is considered publication of a play?</span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(38,40,42);">I feel like I have dealt with this before and ended up advising the client to file as an unpublished work but that boggles my mind. <br clear="none">
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best,</span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
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Nancy </span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(38,40,42);"></span></p>
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