Copyright Office Notice of Intent To Audit

FR: Copyright Office, Library of Congress

Published February 5th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Copyright Office has issued a Notice of Intent to Audit. This notice signals the office's intention to conduct audits, though specific details regarding the scope or criteria for these audits are not provided in this initial announcement.

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What changed

The U.S. Copyright Office, part of the Library of Congress, has published a Notice of Intent to Audit. This document, published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2026, formally announces the office's intention to conduct audits. However, the notice itself does not specify the types of entities that will be audited, the criteria for selection, the scope of the audits, or the specific regulations being enforced.

Compliance officers should be aware that the Copyright Office is signaling a move towards increased oversight. While no immediate actions are mandated by this notice, regulated entities within the copyright domain should anticipate potential future communications or regulations detailing the audit process. It is advisable to review current copyright compliance practices and be prepared for potential inquiries.

What to do next

Review current copyright compliance practices.

Source document (simplified)

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Notice

Notice of Intent To Audit

A Notice by the Copyright Office, Library of Congress on 02/05/2026

Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agencies Library of Congress Copyright Office Agency/Docket Number Docket No. 2026-1 Document Citation 91 FR 5264 Document Number 2026-02298 Document Type Notice Page 5264
(1 page) Publication Date 02/05/2026 Published Content - Document Details
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Document Details Published Content - Document Details Agencies Library of Congress Copyright Office Agency/Docket Number Docket No. 2026-1 Document Citation 91 FR 5264 Document Number 2026-02298 Document Type Notice Page 5264
(1 page) Publication Date 02/05/2026 Published Content - Document Details
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- AGENCY:
- ACTION:
- SUMMARY:
- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
- I. Background
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Library of Congress

Copyright Office

[Docket No. 2026-1]

AGENCY:

U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

ACTION:

Public notice.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Copyright Office is announcing receipt of notices of intent to conduct audits pursuant to the section 115 blanket license.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rhea Efthimiadis, Assistant to the General Counsel, by email at meft@copyright.gov or telephone at 202-707-8350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (“MMA”) substantially amended the compulsory “mechanical” license for reproducing and distributing phonorecords of nondramatic musical works, including by creating a new blanket license administered by a mechanical licensing collective (“MLC”). [1 ] The MMA allows the MLC to periodically audit digital music providers (“DMPs”) operating under the blanket license to verify the accuracy of the DMPs' royalty payments made to the MLC. [2 ] To commence an audit, a notice must be filed with the Office and delivered to each party being audited. The Office must then cause notice to be published in the Federal Register within 45 days of receipt. [3 ]

On December 26, 2025, the MLC submitted a notice of intent to conduct audits for the following DMPs for the period beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2024: