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Copyright Registration Preserves the Public Record of Early Cinema

The Copyright Act of August 24, 1912 established distinct legal classes for film photoplays and non-photoplay motion pictures. Registration required filing a description and film prints with the Copyright Office. This administrative framework created the primary paper trail for thousands of silent and early sound films, documenting titles, release dates, and producing entities that would otherwise be lost to history.

Alphabetical Title Catalog Documents Silent and Sound Film Output

Over fifty thousand motion picture entries appear alphabetically by title, covering releases from the silent era through early talkies. Each entry records essential technical and legal details, including reel count, running length, production company, copyright owner, and registration date. Key dramatic sources, play adaptations, and story credits provide crucial attribution for lost or surviving films.

Claimant Index Maps Studio Ownership and Intellectual Property

An index of claimants, authors, and producing companies details the corporate and individual ownership of film properties across three decades. Tracking original registrants and copyright renewals clarifies the transfer of rights between independent producers and major Hollywood studios. This index serves as an indispensable tool for legal research, archival preservation, and film provenance.

Book

Motion Pictures, 1912-1939

A comprehensive historical record of silent and early sound films registered for United States copyright protection.

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