Address block
The report is addressed to the Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000.
AO 121
Report on the Filing or Determination of an Action or Appeal Regarding a Copyright
- Agency
- U.S. Courts
- Revision
- Rev. 06/16
- Fillable fields
- 45
- Pages
- 1
- Official source
- U.S. Courts form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
AO 121: Report on Filing or Determination of an Action or Appeal Regarding a Copyright
AO 121, Report on the Filing or Determination of an Action or Appeal Regarding a Copyright, is a U.S. Courts form that reports a court action or appeal on a copyright to the Register of Copyrights at the U.S. Copyright Office. It opens by citing the provisions of 17 U.S.C. 508. The U.S. Courts page lists it under Other Forms, effective on June 1, 2016, and the PDF is dated Rev. 06/16.
The report marks action or appeal, names the court, docket number, filing date and parties, lists up to five copyrights by registration number, title and author, records copyrights included later, and records the final decision with a copy of the order or judgment attached. Its only signature lines are for the clerk or a deputy clerk.
This page explains the form in plain words and is not legal advice. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on AO 121
Notice of the action or appeal
The form cites 17 U.S.C. 508 and has boxes for Action or Appeal, then asks for the court name and location, docket number, date filed, plaintiff and defendant.
Copyrights in the case
Five numbered rows for the copyright registration number, the title of the work and the author.
Copyrights included later
The date included and whether by amendment, answer, cross bill or other pleading, with three rows for the added copyrights.
Final decision
Boxes for whether the copy attached is an order or a judgment, whether a written opinion is attached (yes or no), and the date rendered.
Signatures and distribution
Lines for the clerk, a deputy clerk and the date, then a five-part distribution list for the copies.
How AO 121 is filled out
- 1
Fill in the case details
Check action or appeal and enter the court name and location, docket number, date filed, plaintiff and defendant.
- 2
List each copyright
Enter the registration number, title of the work and author for each copyright, up to the five rows printed.
- 3
Mail a copy when the action starts
The distribution list says: upon initiation of action, mail copy to Register of Copyrights.
- 4
Report copyrights added later
Enter the date included, check amendment, answer, cross bill or other pleading, and list the copyrights. The form says to mail a copy upon filing of a document adding copyrights.
- 5
Record the final decision
Check order or judgment, mark whether a written opinion is attached and enter the date rendered. The form says a copy of the order or judgment, with the written opinion if any, is attached, and a copy goes to the Register upon termination of action.
- 6
Sign and distribute
The clerk or a deputy clerk signs and dates. In the event of an appeal, the form says to forward a copy to the Appellate Court, and copy 5 is the case file copy.
The form's distribution list follows the case from start to finish.
Why fill Form AO 121 on indox
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Where it goes, fees and timing
Where it goes
Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000, as printed at the top of the form.
When copies go out
A copy is mailed to the Register of Copyrights upon initiation of action, upon filing of a document adding copyrights, and upon termination of action. In the event of an appeal, a copy is forwarded to the Appellate Court. Copy 5 is the case file copy.
Attachments
When a final decision is reported, the form says a copy of the order or judgment, together with the written opinion, if any, of the court is attached.
Fees
The form does not print a fee.
Format
The U.S. Courts page offers AO 121 as a PDF, effective on June 1, 2016.
Related forms
Who uses AO 121?
The form's only signature lines are for the court's clerk or a deputy clerk, and its copies go to the Register of Copyrights, an appellate court and the case file.
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Questions about Form AO 121
Who fills out AO 121?
The form's only signature lines are for the clerk or a deputy clerk, with the date. It is addressed to the Register of Copyrights at the U.S. Copyright Office.
Where is AO 121 sent?
The form prints the address: Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000. In the event of an appeal, a copy is also forwarded to the Appellate Court.
Does AO 121 cover patents or trademarks?
No. AO 121 covers copyrights. A separate U.S. Courts form, AO 120, reports an action regarding a patent or trademark to the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
What is attached when a decision is reported?
The form says a copy of the order or judgment, together with the written opinion, if any, of the court is attached. Boxes mark whether the copy is an order or a judgment and whether a written opinion is attached.
What happens to AO 121 in an appeal?
The form has an Appeal box at the top, and its distribution list says that in the event of an appeal, a copy is forwarded to the Appellate Court.
Is there a fee for AO 121?
The form does not print a fee.
Is this page legal advice?
No. This page explains the form in plain words and is not legal advice.