Licensing Frequently Asked Questions

The Licensing Section collects royalty fee payments and maintains public records filed by cable operators for retransmitting television and radio broadcasts (section 111), from satellite carriers for retransmitting nonnetwork and network television broadcasts (section 119), and importers or manufacturers that distribute digital audio recording technology products (DART) (section 1003). In general, the section deducts its operating costs from royalty fees collected and invests the balance in interest-bearing securities with the U. S. Treasury for later distribution to copyright owners. The section also collects filing fees to cover part of the costs in administering the cable and satellite licenses.

Effective January 1, 2014, pursuant to the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA), which granted authority to the Copyright Office to establish fees for the filing of statements of account (SOAs) under the section 111, 119, and 122 statutory licenses, the Office now assesses filing fees for all SOAs for current, past, and future accounting periods. For details, see the Federal Register, November 29, 2013 (78 fr 71498). Please be advised that the filing fee is deducted before the royalty payment is credited; thus the omission of the appropriate filing fee will result in an underpayment of royalty fees. Please remit the royalty fee and filing fee in one EFT payment. (SOA1 filing fee: $15; SOA2 filing fee: $20; SOA 3 and Satellite SOA: $725.00).

Licensing Section fees are on the Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov/licensing/ldocs.html.

As of July 1, 2022, remitters are required to use the U.S. Treasury Department's Pay.gov system to submit EFT payments for current, past, and future royalty and filing fees. Using Pay.gov benefits both remitters and the Copyright Office because it ensures that the Office can receive, reconcile, and post payments in the same transaction. It also provides remitters with the convenience of using a credit or debit card as a form of payment. Most importantly, using Pay.gov eliminates the need for remitters to separately complete the remittance advice form. Instead, remitters provide the remittance advice form through Pay.gov at the same time they submit payments.

For more information on royalty payments, go to www.copyright.gov/circs/circ74.pdf or email us at [email protected].

The Licensing Section is located in the Library of Congress, James Madison Memorial Building, at 101 Independence Avenue between First and Second Streets S.E., Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill. All mail to the section should be addressed to:
 
Library of Congress
Copyright Office–LS
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20557-6400*

*The four-digit zip code extension ensures direct delivery to the Licensing Section. Failure to use it often results in long delays.

You may also contact the Licensing Section by telephone, facsimile, or email at:

Tel: (202) 707-8150
Fax: (202) 707-0905
Email: [email protected]

Licensing Section staff members are available to answer questions between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.