U.S. Copyright Office Submits Proposed Fee Schedule and Analysis to Congress

The Copyright Office has submitted to Congress a proposed new fee schedule for Copyright Office services, along with a supporting analysis, in accordance with copyright law. This is the first change to the Office’s fees since 2020. It would allow the Office to recover a portion of its costs closer to the historical percentage of its operational budget, incorporating a reasonable inflation adjustment. This schedule follows the Office’s comprehensive cost study and public comment period, which are available on the Copyright Office Fee Study rulemaking webpage. It also reflects modifications to the Office’s earlier proposal based on its consideration of stakeholder concerns.

Pursuant to copyright law, the Register of Copyrights may institute the new fees 120 days after the proposed schedule is submitted to Congress, unless Congress enacts a law within that time period stating that it does not approve the schedule.

The Office seeks to implement the new fees in the fall of 2026. The proposed fee schedule and analysis are available on the Copyright Office Fee Study rulemaking webpage.