The Copyright Act defines a “transfer of copyright ownership” to consist of “an assignment, mortgage, exclusive license,1Nonexclusive licenses may also be granted, as discussed below. or any other conveyance, alienation, or hypothecation of a copyright or of any of the exclusive rights comprised in a copyright … but not including a nonexclusive license.”217 U.S.C. § 101. The Act permits such transfers to be effectuated, in whole or in part, by means of conveyance or by operation of law.317 U.S.C. § 201(d)(1). Nonexclusive licenses may also be granted, as discussed below. 17 U.S.C. § 101. 17 U.S.C. § 201(d)(1). Any transfer other than one by operation of law4See § 10.03[A][6] infra. “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.”517 U.S.C. § 204(a). See, e.g., Saenger Org., Inc. v. Nationwide Ins. Lic. Assocs., Inc., 864 F. Supp. 246, 250 (D. Mass. ...