On July 14, 2026 the U.S. Copyright Office submitted a proposed new fee schedule to Congress. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. sec. 708(b), Congress now has 120 days to enact legislation disapproving the proposed changes, if it chooses to do so. If no such legislation is enacted, the new fees will go into effect in November, 2026.
The increases are substantial. For example, the fee to register updates and revisions to a database of photographs will be three times what it currently is. The fee to register an album of sound recordings (sound recordings, photographs, artwork, and liner notes) will double. The fee to record a document, such as a notice of termination of a license or transfer of copyright, will more than double. And there is some bad news for website owners and bloggers: The fee to register a group of short online literary works will be twice what it currently is (increasing from $65 to $130). The fee to register updates to a news website will nearly triple (increasing from $95 to $275.)
For an explanation of the Copyright Office’s justifications for the increases, read their Proposed Schedule and Analysis of Copyright Fees (July 14, 2026).
The Proposed Changes
Registration
One work
- Single application (Single author, same claimant, one work, not a work made for hire, e-filed): Current: $45. New: $55.
- Standard application (e-filed): Current: $65. New: $85.
- Paper filing: Current: $125. New: $185.
Group Of works
- Contributions to periodicals (e-filed): Current: $85. New: $130.
- Photographs (e-filed): Current: $55. New: $85.
- Updates and revisions to a photograph database:: Current: $250. New: $700.
- Updates and revisions to a database consisting of non-photographic works (paper filing): Current: $500. New: $700.
- Serials, per issue (e-filed): Current: $35. New: $50.
- Newspapers or newsletters (e-filed): Current: $95. New: $130.
- Unpublished works (e-filed): Current: $85. New: $130.
- Album of musical works (e-filed): Current: $65. New: $85.
- Album of sound recordings, including liner notes, photographs, artwork, and the sound recordings (e-filed): Current: $65. New: $130.
- Short online literary works (e-filed): Current: $65. New: $130.
- Artwork, 2-dimensional (e-filed): Current: $85. New: $130.
- Updates to a news website (e-filed): Current: $95. New: $275.
Restored Work
Form GATT (paper filing only): Current: $100. New: $165.
Correction or Amplification
- E-filed: Current: $100. New: $85.
- Paper filing of correction or amplication of renewal, GATT, or group registration of non-photographic database: Current: $150. New: $185.
Renewal
- Registration of renewal claim (Form RE): Current: $125. New: $165.
- Addendum (in addition to renewal registration fee): Current: $100. New: $135.
Mandatory Deposit
Issuance of a receipt for a mandatory deposit: Current: $30. New: $30.
Recordation
Notice of intent to make a cover version
- Notice of intent to exercise a compulsory license to make and distribute copies of a cover version of a song: Current: $75. New: $100.
- Additional titles (per group of 1 to 100 titles) (e-filed): Current: $10. New: $15.
- Additional titles (per group of 1 to 10 titles (paper): Current: $20. New: $25.
Other Documents
This includes, e.g., a transfer of copyright or an interest in one, notice of termination of a license or transfer, notice of the identity of the author of an anonymous or pseudonymous work, notice of the death of an author, and a notice of intention to enforce a restored copyright.
- Base fee (1 title and/or registration number) (e-filed): Current: $95. New: $215.
- Base fee for a Notice of Termination (1 title and/or registration number) (paper filing): Current: $125. New: $275.
- Base fee for all other documents (1 title and/or registration number) (paper): Current: $125. New: $350.
- Additional transfer (per transfer) under section 205: Current: $95. New: $215.
- Additional works and alternate identifers: Varies depending on the nubmer of additional works adn wether the filing is electronic or paper.
- Correction of online Public Catalog data due to erroneous electronic title submission (per work or alternative identifer): Current: $7. New: $10.
Certifications
- Additional certificate of registration: Current: $55. New: $80.
- Certification of other records, including search reports (per hour): Current: $200. New: $300.
Search Reports
- Search report prepared from official records other than licensing records (per hour, two-hour minimum): Current: $200. New: $300.
- Estimate of search fee (credited to search fee): Current: $200. New: $300.
- Search report, prepared from licensing records (per hour, one-hour minimum): Current: $200. New: $300.
Conclusion
Until 2014, the maximum fee for a notarization in Minnesota was $1. Since 2014, a Minnesota notary public has been permitted to collect as much as a whole $5 per notarization. The cost to become a notary public in Minnesota is $140 ($120 to the state and $20 to the county), in addition to the cost of supplies (notary stamp, etc.) These fees and expenses must be paid again, periodically, to continue to be one. Nothing is free.
On the trademark front
The USPTO has announced that it will begin transitioning outbound international trademark application filings from the U.S. Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Madrid e-Filing system. All Madrid Protocol filings originating from the USPTO are expected to transition to the WIPO system by October 1, 2026.
About the Author: Written by Thomas James, a licensed attorney with a practice focused on trademark and copyright protection for creators, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. He is an accomplished author of legal texts and is admitted to practice before the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is for general informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship. While I am an attorney, I am not your attorney. If you need legal advice, you should retain or consult with an attorney.
