Copyright & Licensing

All inquiries must be made online.
Please carefully read all of the following information before proceeding.

Under C-SPAN's copyright policy a license is generally not required to post a recording of C-SPAN's video coverage of federal government events online for non-commercial purposes so long as C-SPAN is attributed as the source of the video. However, simultaneous streaming or retransmission of the C-SPAN networks' video coverage of any event not in the public domain, live or recorded, may not be posted under any circumstances without a license.

Keeping a C-SPAN logo on the screen during the non-commercial use constitutes sufficient attribution under this policy.

Federal government events include:

  • Congressional committee hearings
  • Executive agency hearings
  • Events at the White House
  • Congressional and Presidential Commissions

Video coverage of the debates originating from the chambers of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate is in the public domain and as such, may be used without restriction or attribution. This does not include special floor sessions such as (but not limited to) Speaker elections, State of the Union addresses, and joint sessions, which may require a license. Congressional hearings, press conferences, and public appearances all require licensing. If you are unsure if a license is required for the footage you seek, please fill out the license request form below.

C-SPAN does NOT permit unlicensed commercial use of any of its video programming (including coverage of federal government events) whether or not C-SPAN is attributed as the source of the video. Under this policy a license is required to use C-SPAN video for:

  • Documentaries, films or television programs
  • Distribution by broadcast, cable or satellite
  • Corporate, trade or professional use.
  • Compilation DVDs and the like.
  • Any use that relies substantially on C-SPAN video to generate revenue.
  • Any other use that C-SPAN believes enhances the value of an organization or entity.

If you require a license and your use is permitted, please continue.

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All uses of the video of the House and Senate floor proceedings are permitted because it is in the public domain.

No permission is required.

Individuals are permitted to use C-SPAN video coverage of federal government events on a non-commercial public Internet site so long as C-SPAN is attributed as the source of the video.

No permission is required.
Federal government events include:

  • Congressional committee hearings
  • Executive agency hearings
  • Events at the White House
  • Congressional and Presidential Commissions

Individuals are permitted to use C-SPAN video coverage of nonfederal politics and policy events on a public Internet site through a simple license.

This license is required for individuals:

  • Who want to post an event aired on C-SPAN which is a non-federal program.
  • These include C-SPAN studio programs such as Washington Journal and forums about public policy and politics not sponsored by the Federal government as outlined on the Policy tab.

The terms of these licenses are:

  • Posting is permitted for one year on a single URL.
  • The fee is $100 per program per year.
  • Each entry in the C-SPAN Video Library is a program.
  • The licenses expire one year from date of payment. They can be renewed through a new request.
  • The video can be streamed only, no downloading is permittied

The procedure:

  • Complete the online posting request using one of the methods below.

Please select your preferred method for submitting this request:

Organizations and entities are permitted to use C-SPAN video coverage of federal government events and nonfederal politics and policy events on a public Internet site through a simple license.

This license is required for non-individuals

  • Who want to post a Federal event as outlined on the previous page or a C-SPAN studio program such as Washington Journal or forums about public policy and politics.
  • Non-individuals include corporations, trade associations, 501 C3 organizations, government agencies, political campaigns, colleges and universities, and newspaper websites.

The terms of these licenses are:

  • Posting is permitted for one year on a single URL.
  • The fee is $100 per program per year.
  • Each entry in the C-SPAN Video Library is a program.
  • The licenses expire one year from date of payment. They can be renewed through a new request.
  • The video can be streamed only, no downloading is permitted.

The procedure:

  • Complete the online posting request using one of the methods below.

Please select your preferred method for submitting this request:

A media organization may license C-SPAN video for use in regularly scheduled newscasts.

The terms of these licenses are:

  • C-SPAN will provide video to media organizations to excerpt short clips in their newscasts.
  • This video will contain a C-SPAN bug which cannot be covered up during the newscast.
  • The video that is provided is for use only in the specific newscast for which it is requested.
  • All requests must be pre-paid by credit card prior to receipt of the video.

Please select your preferred method for submitting this request:

All individuals or organizations seeking permission to use C-SPAN video not fitting in the above categories including documentaries, presentations, or other video uses.

Please complete the online form to submit your request.
This form may also be used for general licensing inquiries.