Appendix A to Part 202 - Technical Guidelines Regarding Sound Physical Condition
37:1.0.2.6.3.0.228.22.3 : Appendix A
Appendix A to Part 202 - Technical Guidelines Regarding Sound
Physical Condition
To be considered a copy “of sound physical condition” within the
meaning of 37 CFR 202.22(d)(5), a copy shall conform to all the
technical guidelines set out in this Appendix.
A. Physical Condition. All portions of the copy that
reproduce the transmission program must be:
1. Clean: Free from dirt, marks, spots, fungus, or other
smudges, blotches, blemishes, or distortions;
2. Undamaged: Free from burns, blisters, tears, cuts,
scratches, breaks, erasure, or other physical damage. The copies
must also be free from:
(i) Any damage that interferes with performance from the tape or
other reproduction, including physical damage resulting from
earlier mechanical difficulties such as cassette jamming, breaks,
tangles, or tape overflow; and
(ii) Any erasures, damage causing visual or audible defects or
distortions or any material remaining from incomplete erasure of
previously recorded works.
3. Unspliced: Free from splices in any part of the copy
reproducing the transmission program, regardless of whether the
splice involves the addition or deletion of material or is intended
to repair a break or cut.
4. Undeteriorated: Free from any visual or aural
deterioration resulting from aging or exposure to climatic,
atmospheric, or other chemical or physical conditions, including
heat, cold, humidity, electromagnetic fields, or radiation. The
copy shall also be free from excessive brittleness or stretching,
from any visible flaking of oxide from the tape base or other
medium, and from other visible signs of physical deterioration or
excessive wear.
B. Physical Appurtenances of Deposit Copy.
1. Physical Housing of Video Tape Copy. (a) In the case
of video tape reproduced for reel-to-reel performance, the deposit
copy shall consist of reels of uniform size and length. The length
of the reels will depend on both the size of the tape and its
running time (the last reel may be shorter). (b) In the case of
video tape reproduced for cassette, cartridge, or similar
performance, the tape drive mechanism shall be fully operable and
free from any mechanical defects.
2. “Leader” or Equivalent. The copy, whether housed in
reels, cassettes, or cartridges, shall have a leader segment both
preceding the beginning and following the end of the recording.
C. Visual and Aural Quality of Copy:
1. Visual Quality. The copy should be equivalent to an
evaluated first generation copy from an edited master tape and must
reproduce a flawless and consistent electronic signal that meets
industry standards for television screening.
2. Aural Quality. The sound channels or other portions
must reproduce a flawless and consistent electronic signal without
any audible defects.
(17 U.S.C. 407, 408, 702) [48 FR 37209, Aug. 17, 1983, as amended
at 60 FR 34168, June 30, 1995]