"Registering That Terrific Storm Footage in 7 Easy Steps"
by Martin Lisius

If you have great storm footage, you should register it with the US
Copyright Office for security purposes.

It's sooooo easy!

Here are the painless, step by step instructions:

1. Think.  Decide what images you want to register.  Your entire library
since birth?  You can do this but a more pratical method might be to think
of the most dramatic, important and or beautiful images you have (you can
also register non-storm things too...BTW).

2. Think of a nifty title to give it.  Maybe by year?  How about "36 Giant
Wedge Tornadoes, 1997 by Martin Lisius."  Or simply, "1997 Storm Highlights
by Martin Lisius."  Or do several years like,"101 Giant Wedge Tornadoes,
1990-1997, by Martin Lisius."

3. Make a dub of these images.  VHS is fine.

4. Label your tape.

5. Get Form PA (Performing Arts) from the US Copyright Office.  How?  Well,
here's a couple options.

a) Call them at 202-707-9100.  It's open 24 hours a day!  What a deal! 
They say it takes about 2 weeks to get, but I've seen them sooner.  You
will leave your name, address, and form needed when you call this number. 
Remember to ask for Form PA.  It's free (actually we pay for it with
taxes).

b) Get it on the Internet!  Yes, you can get forms via cyberspace!  Here's
how.  Get on the Internet, go to
http:www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/formpai.pdf

Bam!  The form will appear.  That's if you have a viewer like Adobe Acrobat
loaded. This is a pdf file...BTW.   If you don't have it, an option should
appear allowing you to download Acrobat.  Once you have it, you can print
that form.  The Copyright Office wants you to print it on both sides of one
piece of paper, heads up.  So, print page 1, then turn it back over and
print page 2.  Remember, heads up on both sides.  Now, I've had some
problems printing these pdf files even with 32 RAM.  Give it a few tries.
If it doesn't print, then just order over the phone.  Your local library
MIGHT have them as well.

6.  Fill out that form. It's nothing like an IRS form.  It's really quite
mindless!  It takes maybe 15 minutes.  So, you can do it during the
Cowboy's halftime break.

7.  Get a padded envelope, or small, sturdy box.  Throw in that tape you
made, the application and 20 bucks.  Seal it good.  You can ship it via
"book rate" since it's a video tape.  One T120 VHS tape with the
application and check will cost you (4) 32 cent stamps, but you must mark
the package "book rate."  If you're in a hurry, mark it "priority mail" in
big letters and put (10) 32 stamps on there or $3.00 worth of other stamps.
 You don't have to take it to the PO if it's under 1 pound.  One T120 is
well under a pound.

That's it!  You're done!

Wait about 2-6 weeks for that pretty certificate.  When it arrives,
celebrate with a tall beer (I prefer lager myself).  Now, file it in a good
spot, or frame it.  You might need it some day.

Have fun.  And remember, registering that footage makes great sense!

Martin Lisius