Um, you actually have that wrong, HarryT. You only have to send copies of your book to the US Copyright office *IF* and *WHEN* you file copyright on your book. (they must be physical print copies) If you don't file copyright, you're not required to send anything to their office. The same rule applies if filing for a Library of Congress number, and yes, that too also requires sending in a physical copy as well. But that's because they want to A) see proof that the book is real, B) that it's yours, and C) then have a physical copy to file on their massive bookshelves for storage and records.
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