Copyright Office Adjusts Timing Requirements for Certain Registration Applications and Pre-1972 Schedules Pursuant to CARES Act

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Copyright Office is temporarily adjusting certain timing requirements pertaining to registration applications submitted with insufficient fees and the filing of schedules of pre-1972 sound recordings. The CARES Act authorizes the Register of Copyrights to temporarily adjust statutory deadlines for copyright owners and other affected parties if she determines that a national emergency declared by the President is generally disrupting the normal operation of the copyright system.

Due to reductions in onsite staff and other disruptions to Office operations during the pandemic, the Office experienced delays in providing notifications to registration applicants who submitted the incorrect filing fee. In addition, due to disruptions stemming from distant telework required during the pandemic, the Office experienced delays in indexing certain schedules of pre-1972 sound recordings filed under the Music Modernization Act. As a result of these delays, parties may have been deprived of certain enforcement remedies that are tied to statutory timing requirements. Therefore, the Register is temporarily adjusting the application of those provisions to affected parties under specified conditions. For additional information, please visit the Office’s Coronavirus page.

The Copyright Office Public Information Office is available for questions through our website at copyright.gov/help/ or by phone at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free).

For more information on COVID-19 generally, please visit coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/coronavirus, and USA.gov/coronavirus.