What Is the Copyright Claims Board?

The Copyright Claims Board (CCB) is a tribunal within the U.S. Copyright Office that provides a faster, more affordable alternative to federal court for resolving copyright disputes. Established by the CASE Act of 2020 and operational since June 2022, the CCB handles claims involving up to $30,000 in damages.

Think of it as a small claims court for copyright cases. The proceedings are conducted entirely online, the filing fees are minimal, and you can participate with or without an attorney — though having a Copyright Claims Board attorney can significantly improve your chances of success.

What Types of Claims Can You File?

The CCB handles three types of claims:

Requirements Before You File

Before you can file a claim with the Copyright Claims Board, you need:

Pro Tip: Register Your Copyright First If your work isn't registered yet, file your registration application with the U.S. Copyright Office before filing your CCB claim. Timely registration (before infringement or within three months of publication) gives you access to statutory damages up to $15,000 per work — which means you don't have to prove your actual financial losses.

Step-by-Step: Filing Your CCB Claim

1 Create an Account on eCCB Go to dockets.ccb.gov and create an account. This is the CCB's electronic filing system where you'll submit and manage your claim.
2 Complete the Claim Form Fill out the initial claim form, which asks for: your contact information, the copyrighted work(s) at issue, the registration number or pending application number, a description of how the respondent infringed your work, the relief you're seeking (damages amount), and the respondent's name and address.
3 Pay the Initial Filing Fee ($40) The first filing fee is just $40. A second fee of $60 is due later if the case proceeds past the initial review stage.
4 CCB Reviews Your Claim The CCB reviews your filing for compliance and sufficiency. They may ask you to amend your claim if it's missing information. This is a critical step — as CCB statistics show, a significant percentage of claims are dismissed for deficiencies at this stage.
5 Serve the Respondent Once the CCB approves your claim, you must serve it on the respondent (the person or entity you're suing). Service can be done by mail, process server, or waiver of service. You have 90 days to complete service and file proof with the CCB.
6 The 60-Day Opt-Out Window After being served, the respondent has 60 days to opt out of CCB proceedings. If they opt out, you can still pursue your claim in federal court. If they don't opt out, the case proceeds at the CCB.
7 Proceedings and Evidence Exchange If the case proceeds, both parties exchange evidence and submit written arguments. Discovery is limited compared to federal court — no depositions, limited document requests. All proceedings are virtual.
8 Final Determination The CCB issues a written decision. If they find infringement, they can award damages up to $30,000 per proceeding.

How Long Does a CCB Case Take?

Most Copyright Claims Board cases conclude within 6 to 12 months from filing to final determination. This is dramatically faster than federal court copyright litigation, which typically takes 2-3 years and can cost $150,000 or more just through discovery.

CCB vs. Federal Court: A Quick Comparison

Cost: CCB filing fees total about $100 versus $400+ for federal court, plus dramatically lower attorney fees due to simplified procedures.

Time: CCB cases typically resolve in 6-12 months versus 2-3 years in federal court.

Damages: The CCB caps damages at $30,000 per proceeding. Federal court has no cap and allows higher statutory damages (up to $150,000 per work for willful infringement).

Procedure: The CCB is entirely virtual with simplified rules. Federal court requires in-person appearances, full discovery, and formal litigation procedures.

Enforcement: CCB determinations are binding but must be confirmed by a federal court to be enforced. Federal court judgments are directly enforceable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Based on CCB statistics, the most common reasons claims fail are: filing without a copyright registration or pending application, failing to properly serve the respondent within 90 days, submitting incomplete or deficient claims that get dismissed on review, and not providing sufficient evidence to support the claimed damages. Working with an experienced Copyright Claims Board attorney can help you avoid these pitfalls.

When Should You Use the CCB vs. Federal Court?

The CCB is a good fit when: your damages are under $30,000, you want a faster and less expensive resolution, the infringement is relatively straightforward, and you don't need an injunction (the CCB cannot order someone to stop infringing — only federal court can do that).

Federal court is better when: your damages exceed $30,000, you need an injunction to stop ongoing infringement, the case involves complex legal issues, or the infringer is unlikely to comply voluntarily with a CCB determination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file a Copyright Claims Board claim?
The initial filing fee is $40, with a second fee of $60 due later in the process. Total filing costs are approximately $100, far less than federal court litigation.

Do I need to register my copyright before filing with the CCB?
You must have either a registered copyright or a pending application. Unlike federal court, the CCB allows you to file with a pending application, though registration strengthens your claim.

How long does a Copyright Claims Board case take?
Most CCB cases conclude within 6-12 months, significantly faster than federal court copyright litigation which can take 2-3 years.

Can the respondent opt out of a Copyright Claims Board case?
Yes. Respondents have 60 days after being served to opt out of CCB proceedings. If they opt out, you can still pursue your claim in federal court.

What is the maximum amount I can recover at the Copyright Claims Board?
The CCB can award up to $30,000 total per proceeding, and up to $15,000 per work infringed. For timely registered works, statutory damages up to $15,000 per work are available.