U.S. Copyright Office
Library of Congress
Mechanical License Royalty Rates

Copyright Royalty Rates
Section 115, the Mechanical License

Distribution Date Rate Authority
1909-1977 2 cents Copyright Act of 1909
January 1, 1978 2.75 cents or 0.5 cent per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater Copyright Act of 1976
January 1, 1981 4 cents or 0.75 cent per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1980 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 1983 4.25 cents or 0.8 cent per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1980 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
July 1, 1984 4.5 cents or 0.85 cent per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1980 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 1986 5 cents or 0.95 cent per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1980 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1989 5.25 cents or 1 cent per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 17 U.S.C. 801 (b)(1) and 804. Based upon the change in the Consumer Price Index from Dec. 1985 to Sept. 1987
January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1991 5.7 cents or 1.1 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater Consumer Price Index from Sept. 1987 to Sept. 1989
January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1993 6.25 cents or 1.2 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater Consumer Price Index from Sept. 1989 to Sept. 1991
January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1995 6.60 cents or 1.25 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater Consumer Price Index from Sept. 1991 to Sept. 1993
January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997 6.95 cents or 1.3 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater Consumer Price Index from Sept. 1993 to Sept. 1995
January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1999 7.1 cents or 1.35 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1997 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2001 7.55 cents or 1.45 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1997 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003 8.0 cents or 1.55 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1997 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 8.5 cents or 1.65 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1997 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding
January 1, 2006
December 31, 2007
9.1 cents or 1.75 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever is greater 1997 Mechanical Rate Adjustment Proceeding