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Copyright Society of the USA

EIN 13-6159787 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE THE STUDY AND UNDERSTANDING OF COPYRIGHT LAW AND ITS ROLE IN FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND THE ARTS, COPYRIGHT INDUSTRIES, AND THE USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS THROUGH TRADITIONAL AND NEW MEDIA.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
4
Volunteers
124
Highest pay
$104,421, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTION WITH ALL FACETS OF THE COPYRIGHT LAW COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A WIDE SELECTION OF CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS NATIONAL EVENTS, SUCH AS THE DONALD C. BRACE MEMORIAL LECTURE AND THE ANNUAL AND MID-WINTER MEETINGS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PUBLISHES THE "JOURNAL OF THE COPYRIGHT SOCIETY AND AWARDS THE ANNUAL SETON AWARD AND AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CREATIVITY. AS PART OF OUR POST-PANDEMIC TRANSITION, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A HYBRID PROGRAM MODEL WITH MANY OF OUR IN-PERSON PROGRAMS OFFERED AS LIVE WEBINARS INCLUDING OUR JUNE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1954.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.