Copyright Service (42.002)
Program
42.002 Copyright Service
Federal Agency
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Authorization
Public Law 102-307, 17 U.S.C. 101-710, as amended.
Program Number
42.002
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To administer the U.S. copyright law, to examine and decide the acceptability of all applications, deposit copies, and other materials presented for registration of original and renewal copyright claims; to process deposits submitted in compliance with the mandatory deposit provision of the copyright law; to record and publish facts of copyright and certain bibliographic data pertaining to each registered work; to furnish information to the public about the procedures for making registration and the practices of the Office; to record transfers of copyright ownership or other documents pertaining to a copyright; to provide reports on copyright facts found in the records of the Copyright Office; to provide certified copies of office records; and to promulgate copyright regulations. To examine cable system and satellite carrier statements of account and collect compulsory license royalties for distribution to copyright owners; to examine quarterly and annual statements of account and receive royalties on behalf of copyright owners pursuant to the statutory obligation provided for the distribution of digital audio recording equipment and media; to examine and record documents relating to compulsory and statutory licenses and obligations and to administer, assist, and review the actions and decisions of the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels.
Types of Assistance
Dissemination of Technical Information.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Anyone may request information about the copyright law, the Copyright Office regulations, the method of securing copyright, and procedures for registering claims and recording documents. This information is free of charge. Reports on copyright facts found in the records of the Copyright Office may be obtained for a statutory search fee of $75 an hour or fraction thereof; however, any member of the public may use, without charge, the Copyright Card Catalog and the online catalog of registrations made since 1978 in the Copyright Office. Fees provided by law for registration of claims to copyright are $30 for most categories with the exception of group registration of serials and daily newspapers, which have separate fee schedules. There are also separate schedules of statutory fees for recordation of transfers of copyright ownership, certified copies of records, etc. The latest fee information can be obtained by contacting the Copyright Office or checking the Copyright Office Website at www.copyright.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Information is supplied to anyone on request. Registration may be made by creators of the work, their assignees, or their exclusive licensees, and others designated by law, or by their agents.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Information supplied to anyone, on request. Registration may be made by authors, their assignees, or their exclusive licensees, and others designated by law, or by their agents.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Walk-in service or written requests for information. Applications for registration are on forms provided by the Copyright Office. Application forms are also available on the Copyright Office Forms Hotline at (202) 707-9100 24 hours a day, and at the Copyright Office Website at www.copyright.gov.
Award Procedure
Not applicable.
Deadlines
The owner of a copyright or the right of first publication in a work published in the United States has a legal obligation to deposit in the Copyright Office two complete copies or phonorecords for the use of the Library of Congress; copyright registration under the 1976 Copyright Act is generally voluntary, although copyright owners are required to register their claim in order to obtain certain legal remedies; registration can be made at any time during the copyright term; however, prompt registration is necessary to obtain statutory remuneration for copyright infringement. Cable systems, satellite carriers, importers, and manufacturers of digital audio recording products have deadlines for filing statements of account and royalty fees.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Denials of registration may be appealed to the Examining Division by letter. A second appeal, also by letter, may be made to a Board of Appeals.
Renewals
The copyright law was amended to extend automatically the term of copyrights secured between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 1977, to a further term of 47 years and made renewal optional. The term of copyright in works published or copyrighted between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 1977, is 95 years. There is no need to make the renewal filing in order to extend the original 28-year copyright term to the full 95 years. However, some benefits accrue to making a renewal registration during the 28th year of the original term. The filing fee for renewals is $60. This fee applies to all renewal applications filed on or after July 1, 2002. For more information, contact the Renewals Section at (202) 707-8180.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, a total of 521,041 registrations were made. The estimated registrations for fiscal year 2003 are 570,000, and for fiscal year 2004 are 570,000. In fiscal year 2002, the Office recorded 10,506 documents relating to copyright. The Office estimates 13,000 document recordations in fiscal year 2003 and in fiscal year 2004. In fiscal year 2002, the Office transferred $31,302,048 worth of materials to the Library's collections. The Office estimates transferring materials valued at $32,500,000 in fiscal year 2003 and $33,500,000 in fiscal year 2004. In fiscal year 2002, use of the Office's Website increased by 8 percent over the prior year.
Financial Information
Account Identification
03-0102-0-1-376.
Obligations
(93 percent salaries and expenses; 7 percent materials) FY 02 $37,239,000; FY 03 est $46,877,000; and FY 04 est $46,877,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Applications, copies of regulations, and printed informational circulars are available from the Copyright Office at the mailing address given below.
Related Programs
11.900, Patent and Trademark Technical Information Dissemination.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Register of Copyrights, Copyright Office, James Madison Memorial Building, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Telephone: (202) 707-3000. Mailing address: Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave., SE., Washington, DC 20559- 6000.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
