Is the copyright registration process still suffering delays, backlogs and inconveniences stemming from anthrax scares and other threats after the World Trade Center disasters?
The enormous backlog of registrations caused by post-9/11 security measures was mostly entirely eliminated by 2004. But increased workload and reduced budget in recent years have meant long delays once again. Electronic (eCO) registrations go significantly faster than paper registrations. The receipt by the Copyright Office of applications sent by U.S. mail is approximately 3-5 days after arrival at the building. Upon arrival, applications are immediately routed off-site for security inspection and irradiation. To give some relief to copyright applicants, the Copyright Office records the applications sent by mail as being received two days earlier than the date of actual receipt at the Office. Private couriers, who used to be allowed to bring registration materials directly to the Office, are now directed to an off-site central security screening facility. The receipt of these registrations are recorded by the Copyright Office on the same date they are received at the facility, so ther
