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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

Note: In order to view the PDF files below, your computer must be equipped with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 program or other software capable of reading PDF version 1.4 files.

Document Format Licensing Information
Circular 22 txt pdf How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work
Circular 73   pdf 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   pdf How to Make Compulsory License Royalty Payments Via Electronic Transfer of Funds
Circular 75   pdf The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office
201.18 txt Notice of intention to obtain a compulsory license for making and distributing phonorecords of nondramatic musical works.
201.19 txt Royalties and statements of account under compulsory license for making and distributing phonorecords of nondramatic musical works.
M-200a txt pdf 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 Panels—Rules 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


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


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


Date Format Cable
    Cable Systems Factsheet on ... Royalty Distribution
    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


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


Date Format Digital Performance Right In Sound Recording
2002   Rulemakings and Related Actions Concerning Webcasting Rates
    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   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
    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


Date Format Digital Phonorecord Deliveries
  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


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


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


Date Format Mechanical Royalty Rate
    Current Royalty Rate (Jan. 1, 2004—Dec. 31, 2005): 8.5 cents or 1.65 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater
    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


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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