17 U.S.C. § 204 : US Code - Section 204: Execution of transfers of copyright ownership

Search 17 U.S.C. § 204 : US Code - Section 204: Execution of transfers of copyright ownership

(a) A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of
law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or
memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner
of the rights conveyed or such owner's duly authorized agent.
(b) A certificate of acknowledgement is not required for the
validity of a transfer, but is prima facie evidence of the
execution of the transfer if -
(1) in the case of a transfer executed in the United States,
the certificate is issued by a person authorized to administer
oaths within the United States; or
(2) in the case of a transfer executed in a foreign country,
the certificate is issued by a diplomatic or consular officer of
the United States, or by a person authorized to administer oaths
whose authority is proved by a certificate of such an officer.