Copyright Office fees are to be paid to the Register of Copyrights. Forms that require a fee are any forms pertaining to registration.
Determining Copyright Fees
The Register of Copyrights has the right to adjust the fees of any service they provide. The Register of Copyrights conducts studies to determine the production costs of documents to make claims and hand out other requested forms. The Register of Copyrights uses the budget and considers public demand when determining proper copyright fees.
The Register of Copyright does not have the authority to raise fees higher than a level necessary to cover production costs in addition to adjusting rates for inflation. Fees are rounded off to the nearest dollar, or for fees less than $12, to the nearest 50 cents. The Register of Copyright is to remain fair when determining a fee and consider the objectives of the copyright system.
If the Copyright Office’s study shows copyright fees should be raised, the Register of Copyrights must submit a fee schedule to Congress. The fee schedule is to include a total economic analysis that led to the determination that the rate of fees should be raised. If Congress grants the fee raise, it will be enforced no sooner than 120 days from the day the request was filed. Within those 120 days, Congress may pass their own law denying the Copyright Office from raising fees.
While the Register of Copyrights is not free to raise copyright fees without permission from Congress, they have the right to waive any fees especially if the fee is a relatively small amount. Copyright fees paid go directly into the United States Treasury and are held to help fund the needs of the Treasury. There is no time limit on how long money from the Copyright Office can remain in the Treasury. The Copyright Office has the right to refund any fees paid that were paid by mistake or through error on behalf of any party.
Excess money that the Copyright Office is entitled to may be placed into securities and invested by the United States Treasury. Any income earned from investments will go toward funding future necessary expenses the Copyright Office may incur.