Licensing Information
The Licensing Division in the Copyright Office administers the compulsory and statutory licenses
in the Copyright Act (title 17 of the U.S. Code). The division collects royalty fees from cable
operators for retransmitting television and radio broadcasts (section 111), from satellite carriers
for retransmitting “superstation” and network signals (section 119), and from importers or
manufacturers for distributing digital audio recording products. The division deducts its full
operating costs from the royalty fees and invests the balance in interest-bearing securities
with the U.S. Treasury for later distribution to copyright owners by Copyright Arbitration Royalty
Panels. For further information read Circular 75, The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office.
Click here for a Directory of Services that have filed Initial Notices of Digital Transmission of Sound Recordings under Statutory License
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Document |
Format |
Licensing Information |
Circular 22 |
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How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work |
Circular 73 |
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Compulsory License For Making and Distributing Phonorecords Click here to see the amended regulations to sections 201.18 and 201.19 of Title 37 of the Federal Code of Regulations that went into effect on July 22, 2004. |
Circular 74 |
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How to Make Compulsory License Royalty Payments Via Electronic Transfer of Funds |
Circular 75 |
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The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office |
201.18 |
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Notice of intention to obtain a compulsory license for making and distributing phonorecords of nondramatic musical works. |
201.19 |
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Royalties and statements of account under compulsory license for making and distributing phonorecords of nondramatic musical works. |
M-200a |
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Mechanical Copyright Royalty Rates |
Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP) Information
The current CARP system consists of ad hoc arbitration panels that recommend the royalty rates and
distribution of royalty fees collected under certain of the statutory licenses and set some of the
terms and conditions of some of the statutory licenses. Each CARP is selected for a particular
proceeding (examples: a rate adjustment for the cable statutory license; a distribution of digital
audio recording technology funds) and has up to 180 days to deliver its recommendation for the rate
adjustment or distribution, as the case may be.
Date |
Format |
General CARP Information |
Jan. 20, 1999 |
Text |
Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels; Rule and Regulations, Extension of comment period |
Dec. 18, 1998 |
Text |
Proposed Amendments to Regulations Governing Conduct of CARP Proceedings |
Jun. 17, 1997 |
Text |
Determination of Statutory License Rates and Terms for Certain |
Jun. 2, 1997 |
Text |
Digital Subscriptions...Announcement of the Schedule for the proceeding |
May 16, 1995 |
Text |
Digital Audio Recording Devices and Media—Access to and Confidentiality of Statements of Account... |
Feb. 13, 1995 |
Text |
Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels; Corrections pt. 2 |
Feb. 13, 1995 |
Text |
Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels; Corrections pt. 1 |
Dec. 7, 1994 |
Text |
Copyright Arbitration Royalty PanelsRules and Regulations |
Jun. 28, 1994 |
Text |
CARP; Rules and Regulations: Final Rule and Corrections |
Apr. 12, 1994 |
Text |
New Post Office Boxes |
Dec. 22, 1993 |
Text |
Copyright Royalty Tribunal; Transfer and Adoption of Regulations |
Dec. 17, 1993 |
Text |
New Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels Established |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Arbitrators |
Feb. 1, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
CARP; 2002-2003 List of Arbitrator Names |
Jan. 14, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
CARP; 2000-2001 List of Arbitrtor Names |
May 11, 1999 |
PDF, Text |
Payment of Arbitrators; Distribution Proceedings |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Reports of Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels |
Feb. 20, 2002 |
Text |
Webcasting Rates |
Apr. 16, 2001 |
PDF |
Phase II Cable Royalty Distribution Report for 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 Cable Royalty Funds |
Nov. 17, 2000 |
PDF |
Distribution of DART Royalty Funds For 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 Version: |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Cable |
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Cable Systems Factsheet on ... Royalty Distribution |
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Statement of Account Forms |
April 11, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1998 and 1999 Cable Royalty Fund |
Dec. 26, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Cable Royalty Funds |
Nov. 20, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1998 and 1999 Cable Royalty Funds |
Oct. 2, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Ascertainment of Controversy for 1999 Cable Royalty Funds |
Jun. 1, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Cable and Satellite Statutory Licenses, Final rule |
Apr. 26, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Cable and Satellite Statutory Licenses, Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Nov. 1, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Cable Royalty Funds, Announcement of the schedule for the proceeding 65 FR 65335 |
Oct. 30, 2000 |
Text |
Adjustment of Cable Statutory License Royalty Rates: Final rule |
Oct. 12, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Cable Royalty Funds, Initiation of arbitration 65 FR 60690, Version: |
Sep. 12, 2000 |
Text |
Adjustment of Cable Statutory License Royalty Rates: Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Aug. 15, 2000 |
PDF |
Motion of Phase I Cable Claimants for Partial Distribution |
Aug. 1, 2000 |
PDF |
Distribution of 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Cable Royalty Funds, Late Filing: |
Jun. 22, 2000 |
PDF |
Distribution of 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Cable Royalty Funds, Dismiss Order: |
Feb. 28, 2000 |
Text |
Adjustment of Cable Statutory License Royalty Rates |
Feb. 11, 2000 |
PDF |
Cable Compulsory License; Definition of a Network Station |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Digital Audio Recording Technology (DART) |
Dec. 2, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Filing of Claims for DART Royalty Funds: Waiver of regulation |
Feb. 5, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Filing of Claims for DART Royalty Funds: Waiver of regulation |
Feb. 7, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 Digital Audio Recording Technology Royalties, Distribution Order Version: |
Nov. 17, 2000 |
PDF |
Distribution of DART Royalty Funds For 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 |
Jul. 6, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 Digital Audio Recording Technology Royalties, Announcement of the schedule for the proceeding |
Jun. 14, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 Digital Audio Recording Technology Royalties, Suspension of proceeding |
Apr. 10, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Distribution of 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 Digital Audio Recording Technology Royalties, Initiation of arbitration |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Digital Performance Right In Sound Recording |
2002 |
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Rulemakings and Related Actions Concerning Webcasting Rates |
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Notice and Recordkeeping Requirements for Digital Transmissions of Sound Recordings under Statutory License |
August 21, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings: Notice of proposed rulemaking |
July 3, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings by Preexisting Subscription Services: Final rule |
June 18, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings; Final regulation |
May 20, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings; Notice of proposed rulemaking |
May 1, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings; Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Apr. 21, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings; Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Jan. 31, 2003 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings by Preexisting Subscription Services; Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Apr. 15, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Notice and Recordkeeping for Use of Sound Recordings Under Statutory License: Announcement of public roundtable |
Mar. 8, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Notice and Recordkeeping for Use of Sound Recordings Under Statutory License: Extension of comment period |
Feb. 7, 2002 |
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Notice and Recordkeeping for Use of Sound Recordings Under Statutory License Version: PDF, Text |
Jan. 30, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings: Initiation of voluntary negotiation period |
Nov. 20, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Rate Adjustment Proceedings |
Sep. 27, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings: Extension of comment period to 10/12/01 |
Jul. 23, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Rights in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings; Initiation of arbitration and announcement of the schedule for the proceeding |
Feb. 12, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
New Subscription Services and the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings; Initiation of voluntary negotiation period |
Jan. 9, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Adjustment of Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings; Notice of negotiation period and request for notification |
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Rulemakings and Related Actions Concerning Webcasting during 2000 |
Dec. 11, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings: Notices of intent to participate; Announcement of precontroversy discovery schedule |
Dec. 11, 2000 |
PDF, Text PDF, Text |
Public Performance of Sound Recordings: Definition of a Service: Petition for rulemaking, denial correction: 65 FR 78434 |
Dec. 11, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Public Performance of Sound Recordings: Definition of a Service: Final Rule |
Sep. 13, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings: Petition to Convene Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel: Notice with a request for comments |
Jul. 6, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Public Performance of Sound Recordings: Definition of a Service: Extension of reply comment period |
May 23, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Public Performance of Sound Recordings: Definition of a Service: Notice of inquiry |
Apr. 17, 2000 |
PDF |
Petition of Digital Media Association (DiMA) for rulemaking to address scope of definition of "service" as distinct from "interactive service" under 17 U.S.C. §114(j)(7) |
Apr. 5, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Public Performance of Sound Recordings: Definition of a Service: Request for Comments |
Mar. 16, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Public Performance of Sound Recordings: Definition of a Service: Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Mar. 1, 2000 |
PDF |
Petition of Recording Industry Association of America for rulemaking to address scope of "broadcast transmission" exemption in 17 U.S.C. §114(d)(1)(A) and statutory licenses in 17 U.S.C. §§112(e) and 114(d)(2) |
Jan. 14, 2000 |
PDF |
Docket No. 99-6 CARP DTRA: Examples of discovery orders in prior CARP proceedings: DSTRA, DSTRAa, NCBRA, CD 90-92, CD 90-92a, CD 90-92b, SRA |
Jan. 13, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings and Ephemeral Recordings: Initiation of voluntary negotiation period. |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Digital Phonorecord Deliveries |
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Text |
Initial Comments on Effect of the RIAA/NMPA/HFA Agreement on Inquiry into Digital Phonorecord Deliveries |
Jul. 20, 1999 |
PDF, Text |
U.S. Copyright Office, Digital Phonorecord Delivery Rate Adjustment Proceeding 64 FR 38861, July 20, 1999 |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Satellite |
Sep. 8, 2004 |
PDF |
Statement of Account for Secondary Transmissions by Satellite Carriers for Private Home Viewing |
Jan. 22, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Ascertainment of Controversy for the 2000 Satellite Royalty Funds: Request for notices of intention to participate |
Nov. 23, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Ascertainment of Controversy for the 2000 and 2001 Satellite Royalty Funds: Suspension of filing deadline and request for comments |
Nov. 6, 2001 |
PDF |
MPAA Motion |
Oct. 30, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Ascertainment of Controversy for the 2000 and 2001 Satellite Royalty Funds: Notice with request for comments and notices of intention to participate |
Oct. 2, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Ascertainment of Controversy for 1999 Cable Royalty Funds |
Jun. 1, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Cable and Satellite Statutory Licenses, Final rule |
Apr. 26, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Cable and Satellite Statutory Licenses, Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Sep. 15, 2000 |
PDF |
Motion of Phase I Cable Claimants for Partial Distribution |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Non-Commercial Broadcasting |
Dec. 17, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Noncommercial Educational Broadcasting Compulsory License; Final rule |
Nov. 29, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Cost of Living Adjustment for Performance of Musical Compositions by Colleges and Universities; Final rule |
Oct. 30, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Noncommercial Educational Broadcasting Compulsory License; Notice of proposed rulemaking |
Apr. 1, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Noncommercial Educational Broadcasting Compulsory License: Announcement of voluntary negotiation period, precontroversy discovery schedule, and request for Notices of Intent to Participate |
Nov. 30, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Cost of Living Adjustment for Performance of Musical Compositions by Colleges and Universities: Final rule |
Dec. 1, 2000 |
PDF, Text |
Cost of Living Adjustment for Performance of Musical Compositions by Colleges and Universities |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Mechanical Royalty Rate |
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Current Royalty Rate (Jan. 1, 2004Dec. 31, 2005): 8.5 cents or 1.65 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater |
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See royalty rates for other years |
Jan. 31, 2002 |
PDF, Text |
Mechanical and Digital Phonorecord Delivery Compulsory License: Extension of comment period |
Dec. 14, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Mechanical and Digital Phonorecord Delivery Compulsory License: Request for comment |
Mar. 9, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Mechanical and Digital Phonorecord Delivery Compulsory License: Notice of Inquiry |
Archive |
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Date |
Format |
Section 114 Remand Documents |
Oct. 10, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings: Extension of comment period to Oct. 17, 2001 |
Sep. 21, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings: Extension of comment period to Sept. 28, 2001 |
Sep. 4, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Determination of Reasonable Rates and Terms for the Digital Performance of Sound Recordings: Extension of comment period to Sept. 19, 2001 |
Jul. 23, 2001 |
PDF, Text |
Requests for comments on proposed regulations |
Jun. 22, 2001 |
PDF |
Letter Regarding RIAA Petition |
Apr. 17, 2001 |
PDF |
Memorandum in Support of RIAA Petition to Establish Terms Governing the RIAA Collective |
Apr. 17, 2001 |
PDF |
RIAA Petition to Establish Terms Governing the RIAA Collective and to Suspend CARP Proceedings |
Archive |
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