This Copyright Assignment may be used where an individual author, organization, or corporate entity is assigning their/its rights in and to a work of authorship to another person, organization, or corporate entity. Both registered and unregistered U.S. copyrights may be assigned using this document.

This document can be useful in various scenarios. For instance, an individual author who creates a copyrighted work (such as a motion picture or a literary, artistic, musical, dramatic, or pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work) might wish to assign the work to a new entity or organization that the author has formed. Or, in another common scenario, a copyrighted work might be purchased in connection with an asset purchase or other business deal and, consequently, would need to be assigned to the buyer.

The Assignee is not required to sign the document if it is being recorded with the U.S. Copyright Office. However, this may not be the case in foreign countries, which may require that both the Assignor and the Assignee sign the Assignment. Notarization is generally not necessary, but could be required if the Assignment is made in connection with a U.S. corporate transaction or closing. Notarization may also be required if the Assignment is being recorded in a foreign country. Be sure to consult foreign counsel.

Foreign counsel should also be consulted when assigning foreign copyright applications and registrations to ensure that the transfer of ownership occurs in accordance with the laws of the relevant country, especially in regards to providing and recording consideration. The laws on assignment vary on a country by country basis.