WHY REGISTER
Why should I register my dance choreography?
Registering your dance work with the ChoreoClaim Registry documents your claim of authorship of your dance choreography. When you register with us, your dance will be date stamped, given a unique “content ID” number and your video file will be watermarked and protected in a secure digital locker. We will preserve a “chain of custody” to further protect your work. Think of the Registry as a “lock box” repository for your dance work.
Does registration protect my work?
Although not the same as Copyright, your ChoreoClaim Registration can be used as evidence of your ownership.
Is ChoreoClaim’s registration recognized globally?
Yes. On its face, Article 17 of the new EU copyright directive allows online platforms to be held liable for unlawful user content unless they act as copyright cops and bend over backwards to ensure infringing content is not available on their platforms. Proof of authorship will be key to protecting your work or receiving financial benefits from infringement or licensing. Although not statutory protection, the ChoreoClaim registration is designed to help you meet these objectives.
How does ChoreoClaim’s Registry differ from other forms of registration?
By providing a unique and date stamped certificate of registration, you have evidence of your claim of authorship. In addition, our digital locker storage system provides a chain-of-custody that can’t be disputed.
What does my registration fee cover?
The $9.99 registration fee provides one (1) full year of evidence of authorship for your work. It also helps us maintain the digital storage locker and invest in the technology that will allow you to further protect and monetize your dance.
Can I register multiple dances?
Yes, but each individual dance requires payment of a separate fee.
COPYRIGHT & AUTHORSHIP
Is registration the same as copyright protection?
Registering your work with the ChoreoClaim Registry does not take the place of registering with the U.S. Copyright Office. However, both create valid legal evidence that can be used in court. Questions regarding copyright should be directed to the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington, D.C. at 1-877-476-0778 or to an attorney specializing in that area of law. Visit www.loc.gov for more information.
Can I use my Registration to help secure Copyright in my work?
Yes, you can use your registration with us in the process to apply for Copyright but you need to consult with the U.S. Copyright Office Toll Free #: 1-877-476-0778 or to an attorney specializing in that area of law. Visit www.loc.gov for more information.
If I have registered my work with the U.S. Copyright Office or with a similar government body outside the U.S., is there a reason to also register with ChoreoClaim?
Even if you have a copyright through the Library of Congress, registering with the ChoreoClaim Registry creates a separate legal record for your material. ChoreoClaim’s Registration adds the potential benefit of having ChoreoClaim discover infringers and help you monetize your work. This is similar to how music companies collect advertising revenue for artists and writers from social media platforms (i.e., TikTok & YouTube). We are a dynamic Registry and not static such as the U.S. Copyright Office.
What is the difference between a claim of “Authorship” vs. “Copyright”?
You do not need to have a registered Copyright to claim authorship. Although a work is considered copyrighted when it is created, you can’t enforce rights, such as suing for infringement in U. S. Federal court, until that work is registered with the Copyright Office. The EU and other countries may have their own copyright requirements and protections. However, Copyright registration is not required to seek collection and monetize your work.
Does the Registry also protect any claims of ownership I may have to the video/film master &/or music or only to the choreography?
Although you may be able to use the Registry to help protect your ownership interest in the actual creative work of your video/film, our registry is specifically designed to help protect the “fixed” choreography which is the sequential motion of the dance and not the filmed “video” representation. The Registry also does not protect any rights you have in the actual music which might accompany your video. The U. S. Copyright Office defines a “fixation” in choreography or pantomime as something that allows movement to be performed in a “consistent and uniform manner”.
ACCESS TO REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Do I have access to my video file?
Only the Registry’s administrative team is able to access information submitted by you. This is to protect the privacy of your information, to protect the chain of custody and to protect your chain of title. In the event an author is deceased, proof of death and consent of the representative of the heirs and/or estate must be presented in order to obtain specific information regarding the Registration. The representative must provide court documents authenticating his or her claim as legal heir.
ACCESS TO COPIES OF YOUR VIDEO
Can I get a copy of my uploaded video?
Because the deposited video cannot be returned to you without defeating the purpose of registration, registered videos may not be withdrawn. It is therefore important to always retain a separate copy of your dance work being registered. If for extraordinary circumstances, you find it necessary to obtain a copy of deposited video, duplicates may be purchased for the price of registration upon written request by one or more of the listed authors, identified by government issued photo ID. In the event an author is deceased, proof of death and consent of the representative of the heirs and/or estate must be presented in order to obtain a digital copy of the video. In no event, except under these provisions, shall any deposited video or information regarding submitted information be provided unless a court order or other legal process has been served.
