Title 17 — CopyrightsRelease 119-73

§1510 Implementation by Copyright Office

Title 17 › Chapter CHAPTER 15— - COPYRIGHT SMALL CLAIMS › § 1510

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Register of Copyrights must create rules to run this part of the law. The rules must include the fees required by parts (e) and (x) of section 1506. All fees the Office gets for these activities must be put into the Office’s expense funds under section 708(d). The rules must help the Copyright Claims Board run smoothly and finish cases on time. The Register may also make rules to stop people from using the Board to harass others. Not earlier than 3 years after the Board issues its first decision, the Register may change limits on money awards or lawyer fees. Any change that raises or lowers limits only starts after 120 days from when Congress gets the rule, and only if Congress does not pass a law rejecting it. The Register may hire outside companies to build online and teleconference systems the Board needs. The Office sets filing fees, including the fee to start a case under section 1506(e). Total filing fees must be at least $100, must not be more than the cost of filing a case in a U.S. district court, and must be set to support the Board’s goals.

Full Legal Text

Title 17, §1510

Copyrights — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The Register of Copyrights shall establish regulations to carry out this chapter. Such regulations shall include the fees prescribed under subsections (e) and (x) of section 1506. The authority to issue such fees shall not limit the authority of the Register of Copyrights to establish fees for services under section 708. All fees received by the Copyright Office in connection with the activities under this chapter shall be deposited by the Register of Copyrights and credited to the appropriations for necessary expenses of the Office in accordance with section 708(d). In establishing regulations under this subsection, the Register of Copyrights shall provide for the efficient administration of the Copyright Claims Board, and for the ability of the Copyright Claims Board to timely complete proceedings instituted under this chapter, including by implementing mechanisms to prevent harassing or improper use of the Copyright Claims Board by any party.

(2)(A)Subject to subparagraph (B), not earlier than 3 years after the date on which Copyright 11 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “the”. Claims Board issues the first determination of the Copyright Claims Board, the Register of Copyrights may, in order to further the goals of the Copyright Claims Board, conduct a rulemaking to adjust the limits on monetary recovery or attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded under this chapter.

(B)Any rule under subparagraph (A) that makes an adjustment shall take effect at the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date on which the Register of Copyrights submits the rule to Congress and only if Congress does not, during that 120-day period, enact a law that provides in substance that Congress does not approve the rule.

(b)Subject to applicable law, the Register of Copyrights may retain outside vendors to establish internet-based, teleconferencing, and other facilities required to operate the Copyright Claims Board.

(c)Any filing fees, including the fee to commence a proceeding under section 1506(e), shall be prescribed in regulations established by the Register of Copyrights. The sum total of such filing fees shall be in an amount of not less than $100, may not exceed the cost of filing an action in a district court of the United States, and shall be fixed in amounts that further the goals of the Copyright Claims Board.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

17 U.S.C. § 1510

Title 17 — Copyrights

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73