Electronic Filing of Documents, 84526-84530 [2016-27932]

Agencies

• Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress
• Library of Congress

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 84526-84530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27932]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Copyright Royalty Board

37 CFR Parts 301, 350 and 351

[Docket No. 16-CRB-0015-RM]


Electronic Filing of Documents

AGENCY: Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Copyright Royalty Judges propose to amend procedural 
regulations governing the filing and delivery of documents to allow for 
electronic filing of documents. The Judges solicit comments on the 
proposed rule.

DATES: Comments are due no later than December 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments via email to crb@loc.gov. Those 
who choose not to submit comments electronically should see ``How to 
Submit Comments'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for 
physical addresses and further instructions. The proposed rule is also 
posted on the agency's Web site (www.loc.gov/crb).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Whittle, Attorney Advisor, by 
telephone at (202) 707-7658 or email at crb@loc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 23, 2016, the Library of 
Congress awarded a contract for the design and implementation of an 
electronic filing and case management system for the Copyright Royalty 
Board (``Board''). The Copyright Royalty Judges (``Judges'') anticipate 
that the new system will be available for use by claims filers, 
participants in proceedings before the Judges, and other members of the 
public having business with the Board (e.g., persons wishing to comment 
on proposed regulations) by May 2017. The Judges intend to make use of 
the system mandatory for claimants and participants in proceedings 
after a six-month transition period.
    As part of the Judges' continuing oversight of the Board's 
procedural regulations, the Judges propose to amend the regulations to 
accommodate electronic filing of documents and to specify the required 
format of both electronic and paper documents. In addition, the Judges 
propose to amend the regulations to remove references to obsolete 
technologies and to eliminate redundant provisions.

I. Part 301--Organization

    The Judges propose to amend Part 301 to specify that (1) the 
official addresses for the Board are to be used only for documents that 
are not filed using the electronic filing system; (2) general 
correspondence, but not pleadings or claims, may be sent by electronic 
mail; and (3) fax is no longer an acceptable means of transmitting any 
document or correspondence to the Board.

II. Part 350--General Administrative Provisions

    The Judges propose rules concerning the required format and 
permitted length of documents, whether filed electronically or 
otherwise. Electronically-filed documents would be subject to 
additional requirements, similar to the guidelines that the Judges 
issued in November 2014.\1\
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    \1\ The guidelines are on the CRB Web site at www.loc.gov/crb/docs/Guidelines_for_Electronic_Documents.pdf.
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    The proposed regulations include rules on obtaining and using a 
password for filing documents electronically. The use of a password to 
file a document would constitute the filer's signature. Electronic 
filing of a document would effect delivery of the document to all 
parties to a proceeding who have been issued a password or are 
represented by counsel who has been issued a password.
    The Judges also propose to gather in this Part the various 
provisions that establish whether a document (including a claim) is 
timely filed. For documents that are not filed using the electronic 
filing system, the rules concerning timeliness would be unchanged. 
Documents that are filed electronically are considered timely if they 
are received and time-stamped by the system by 11:59:59 p.m. (ET) on 
the due date.

III. Part 351--Proceedings

    The Judges propose to amend paragraph 351.1(b)(4) to clarify that 
the filing fee that must accompany a petition to participate may be 
remitted by check or money order, or through the electronic filing 
system's payment portal.

IV. Part 360--Filing of Claims to Royalty Fees Collected Under 
Compulsory License

    The Judges will propose revisions to Part 360 in order to 
accommodate filing of claims through the new electronic filing system 
at a later date.

How To Submit Comments

    Interested members of the public must submit comments to only one 
of the following addresses. If not commenting by email or online, 
commenters must submit an original of their comments, five paper 
copies, and an electronic version on a CD.
    Email: crb@loc.gov; or
    U.S. mail: Copyright Royalty Board, P.O. Box 70977, Washington, DC 
20024-0977; or
    Overnight service (only USPS Express Mail is acceptable): Copyright 
Royalty Board, P.O. Box 70977, Washington, DC 20024-0977; or
    Commercial courier: Address package to: Copyright Royalty Board, 
Library of Congress, James Madison Memorial Building, LM-403, 101 
Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000. Deliver to: 
Congressional Courier Acceptance Site, 2nd Street NE. and D Street NE., 
Washington, DC; or
    Hand delivery: Library of Congress, James Madison Memorial 
Building, LM-401, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-
6000.

List of Subjects

37 CFR Part 301

    Copyright, Organization and functions (government agencies).

[[Page 84527]]

37 CFR Part 350

    Administrative practice and procedure, Copyright, Lawyers.

37 CFR Part 351

    Administrative practice and procedure, Copyright.

Proposed Regulations

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under the authority 
of chapter 8, title 17, United States Code, the Copyright Royalty 
Judges propose to amend parts 301, 350, and 351 of Title 37 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations as follows:

SUBCHAPTER A--GENERAL PROVISIONS

PART 301--ORGANIZATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 17 U.S.C. 801.


Sec.  301.2  [Amended]

0
2. Revise Sec.  301.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  301.2  Official addresses.

    All claims, pleadings, and general correspondence intended for the 
Copyright Royalty Board and not submitted by electronic means through 
the electronic filing system (``eCRB'') must be addressed as follows:
    (a) If sent by mail (including overnight delivery using United 
States Postal Service Express Mail), the envelope should be addressed 
to: Copyright Royalty Board, P.O. Box 70977, Southwest Station, 
Washington, DC 20024-0977.
    (b) If hand-delivered by a private party, the envelope must be 
brought to the Copyright Office Public Information Office, Room LM-401 
in the James Madison Memorial Building, and be addressed as follows: 
Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress, James Madison Memorial 
Building, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000.
    (c) If hand-delivered by a commercial courier (excluding Federal 
Express, United Parcel Service and similar courier services), the 
envelope must be delivered to the Congressional Courier Acceptance Site 
(CCAS) located at Second and D Street NE., Washington, DC.
    (d) Subject to paragraph (f), if sent by electronic mail, to 
crb@loc.gov.
    (e) Correspondence and filings for the Copyright Royalty Board may 
not be delivered by means of:
    (1) Overnight delivery services such as Federal Express, United 
Parcel Service, etc.; or
    (2) Fax.
    (f) General correspondence for the Copyright Royalty Board may be 
sent by electronic mail. Claimants or Parties must not send any claims, 
pleadings, or other filings to the Copyright Royalty Board by 
electronic mail without specific, advance authorization of the 
Copyright Royalty Judges.

SUBCHAPTER B--COPYRIGHT ROYALTY JUDGES' RULES AND PROCEDURES

PART 350--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

0
3. Revise part 350 to read as follows:

Sec.
350.1 Scope.
350.2 Representation.
350.3 Documents: Format and length.
350.4 Form of motions and responsive pleadings.
350.5 Electronic filing system (eCRB).
350.6 Filing and delivery.
350.7 Time.
350.8 Construction and waiver.

    Authority: 17 U.S.C. 803.

PART 350--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS


Sec.  350.1  Scope.

    This subchapter governs procedures generally applicable to 
proceedings before the Copyright Royalty Judges in making 
determinations and adjustments pursuant to the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 
801(b).


Sec.  350.2  Representation.

    Individual parties in proceedings before the Judges may represent 
themselves or be represented by an attorney. All other parties must be 
represented by an attorney. Cf. Rule 49(c)(11) of the Rules of the 
District of Columbia Court of Appeals. The appearance of an attorney on 
behalf of any party constitutes a representation that the attorney is a 
member of the bar, in one or more states, in good standing.


Sec.  350.3  Documents Format and Length.

    (a) Format--(1) Caption and description. Parties filing pleadings 
and documents in a proceeding before the Copyright Royalty Judges must 
include on the first page of each filing a caption that identifies the 
proceeding by proceeding type and docket number, and a heading under 
the caption describing the nature of the document. In addition, Parties 
must include a footer on each page that includes the name and posture 
of the filing party, e.g., [Party's] Motion, [Party's] Response in 
Opposition, etc.
    (2) Page Layout. Parties must submit documents that are typed 
(double spaced) using a serif typeface (e.g., Times New Roman) no 
smaller than 12 points for text or 10 points for footnotes and 
formatted for 8\1/2\ by 11 inch pages with no less than 1 inch margins. 
Parties must assure that any exhibit or attachment to documents 
reflects the docket number of the proceeding in which it is filed and 
that all pages are numbered appropriately. Any party submitting a 
document to the Copyright Royalty Board in paper format must submit it 
unfolded and produced on opaque 8\1/2\ by 11 inch white paper using a 
clear black image.
    (3) Binding or securing. Parties submitting any paper document to 
the Copyright Royalty Board must bind or secure the document in a 
manner that will prevent pages from becoming separated from the 
document. For example, acceptable forms of binding or securing include: 
Ring binders; spiral binding; comb binding; and for documents of fifty 
pages or fewer, a binder clip or single staple in the top left corner 
of the document. Rubber bands and paper clips are not acceptable means 
of securing a document.
    (b) Additional format requirements for electronic documents--(1) In 
general. Parties filing documents electronically through eCRB must 
follow the requirements of Sec.  350.3(a)(1) and (2) and the additional 
requirements in paragraphs (b)(2) through (8) of this section.
    (2) File type. Parties must file all pleadings and documents in 
Portable Document Format (PDF), with the exception of proposed orders. 
In addition, participants may provide the Copyright Royalty Board with 
copies of Excel workbooks, audio files, and video files in their native 
electronic formats. Participants may also provide the Copyright Royalty 
Board with copies of PowerPoint presentations or image files in their 
native electronic formats if conversion to PDF format would render the 
files difficult to read or view.
    (3) Proposed Orders; file type. Parties filing or responding to 
motions must provide a proposed order, drafted as if the Copyright 
Royalty Judges were granting the party's requested relief. The party 
must prepare the proposed order as a separate Word document and submit 
it as an attachment to the main pleading.
    (4) No scanned pleadings. Parties must convert every filed document 
directly to PDF format (using ``print to pdf'' or ``save to pdf''), 
rather than submitting a scanned PDF image. The Copyright Royalty Board 
will NOT accept scanned documents, except in the case of specific 
exhibits or attachments that are available to the filing party only in 
paper form.

[[Page 84528]]

    (5) Scanned exhibits. Parties must scan exhibits or other documents 
that are only available in paper form at no less than 300 dpi. All 
exhibits must be searchable. Parties must scan in color any exhibit 
that uses color to convey information or enhance readability.
    (6) Bookmarks. Parties must include in all electronic documents 
appropriate electronic bookmarks to designate the tabs and/or tables of 
contents that would appear in a paper version of the same document.
    (7) Page rotation. Parties must ensure that all pages in electronic 
documents are right side up, regardless of whether they are formatted 
for portrait or landscape printing.
    (8) Signature. The signature line of an electronic pleading must 
contain ``/s/'' followed by the signer's typed name. The name on the 
signature line must match the name of the user logged into eCRB to file 
the document. Parties with the capability may also sign documents with 
a verifiable electronic signature.
    (c) Length of submissions. Whether filing in paper or 
electronically, parties must adhere to the following space limitations 
or such other space limitations as the Copyright Royalty Judges may 
direct by order. Any party seeking an enlargement of the applicable 
page limit must make the request by a motion to the Copyright Royalty 
Judges filed no fewer than three days prior to the applicable filing 
deadline.
    (1) Motions. Motions must not exceed 20 pages or 5000 words 
(exclusive of exhibits, proof of delivery, and the like).
    (2) Responses. Responses in support of or opposition to motions 
must not exceed 20 pages or 5000 words (exclusive of exhibits, proof of 
delivery, and the like).
    (3) Replies. Replies in support of motions must not exceed 10 pages 
or 2500 words (exclusive of exhibits, proof of delivery, and the like).


Sec.  350.4  Form of Motion and Responsive Pleadings.

    A motion, responsive pleading, or reply must include the following 
content and conform to the following format:
    (a) Relief requested. The pleading must state specific relief the 
party seeks from the Copyright Royalty Judges.
    (b) Statement of facts. The pleading must include a succinct 
statement of material facts.
    (c) Statement of issues. The pleading must include a concise 
statement of the issues of law presented to the Copyright Royalty 
Judges for ruling.
    (d) Evidence relied upon. The pleading must state with 
particularity the evidence on which it is based, and must include any 
relevant, admissible documentary evidence as attachment(s).
    (e) Legal authority. Parties must cite any legal authority upon 
which they rely for the relief they seek.


Sec.  350.5  Electronic Filing System (eCRB).

    (a) Documents to be filed by electronic means--(1) Transition 
period. For a period of up to six months following the initial 
deployment of the Copyright Royalty Board's electronic filing and case 
management system (eCRB), all parties having the technological 
capability must file all documents with the Copyright Royalty Board 
through eCRB in addition to filing paper documents in conformity with 
applicable Copyright Royalty Board rules. The Copyright Royalty Board 
will announce the date of the initial deployment of eCRB on the 
Copyright Royalty Board Web site (www.loc.gov/crb), as well as the 
conclusion of the dual-system transition period.
    (2) Subsequent to transition period. Except as otherwise provided 
in this chapter, all attorneys must file documents with the Copyright 
Royalty Board through eCRB. Pro se parties may file documents with the 
Copyright Royalty Board through eCRB, subject to Sec.  350.4(c)(2).
    (b) Official record. The electronic version of a document filed 
through and stored in eCRB will be the official record of the Copyright 
Royalty Board.
    (c) Obtaining an electronic filing password--(1) Attorneys. An 
attorney must obtain an eCRB password from the Copyright Royalty Board 
in order to file documents or to receive copies of orders and 
determinations of the Copyright Royalty Judges. The Copyright Royalty 
Board will issue an eCRB password after the attorney applicant 
completes the application form available on the CRB Web site and 
completes eCRB training.
    (2) Pro se parties. A party not represented by an attorney (a pro 
se party) may obtain an eCRB password from the Copyright Royalty Board 
with permission from the Copyright Royalty Judges, in their discretion. 
To obtain permission, the pro se party must submit an application on 
the form available on the CRB Web site, describing the party's access 
to the Internet and confirming the party's ability and capacity to file 
documents and receive electronically the filings of other parties on a 
regular basis. If the Copyright Royalty Judges grant permission, the 
pro se party must complete the eCRB training provided by the Copyright 
Royalty Board to all electronic filers before receiving an eCRB 
password. Once the Copyright Royalty Board has issued an eCRB password 
to a pro se party, that party must make all subsequent filings by 
electronic means through eCRB.
    (3) Claimants. Any person desiring to file a claim with the 
Copyright Royalty Board for copyright royalties may obtain an eCRB 
password for the limited purpose of filing claims by completing the 
application form available on the CRB Web site.
    (d) Use of an eCRB password. An eCRB password may be used only by 
the person to whom it is assigned, or, in the case of an attorney, by 
that attorney or an authorized employee or agent of that attorney's law 
office or organization. The person to whom an eCRB password is assigned 
is responsible for any document filed using that password.
    (e) Signature. The use of an eCRB password to login and submit 
documents creates an electronic record. The password operates and 
serves as the signature of the person to whom the password is assigned 
for all purposes under this chapter III.
    (f) Originals of sworn documents. The electronic filing of a 
document that contains a sworn declaration, verification, certificate, 
statement, oath, or affidavit certifies that the original signed 
document is in the possession of the attorney or pro se party 
responsible for the filing and that it is available for review upon 
request by a party or by the Copyright Royalty Judges. The filer must 
file through eCRB a scanned copy of the signature page of the sworn 
document together with the document itself.
    (g) Consent to delivery by electronic means. An attorney or pro se 
party who obtains an eCRB password consents to electronic delivery of 
all documents, subsequent to the petition to participate, that are 
filed by electronic means through eCRB. Counsel and pro se parties are 
responsible for monitoring their email accounts and, upon receipt of 
notice of an electronic filing, for retrieving the noticed filing. 
Parties and their counsel bear the responsibility to keep the contact 
information in their eCRB profiles current.
    (h) Accuracy of docket entry. A person filing a document by 
electronic means is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the 
official docket entry generated by the eCRB system, including proper 
identification of the proceeding, the filing party, and the description 
of the document. The Copyright Royalty Board will maintain on its Web 
site (www.loc.gov/crb) appropriate guidance regarding naming protocols 
for eCRB filers.
    (i) Documents subject to a protective order. A person filing a 
document by electronic means is responsible for

[[Page 84529]]

ensuring, at the time of filing, that any documents subject to a 
protective order are identified to the eCRB system as ``restricted'' 
documents. This requirement is in addition to any requirements detailed 
in the applicable protective order. Failure to identify documents as 
``restricted'' to the eCRB system may result in inadvertent publication 
of sensitive, protected material.
    (j) Exceptions to requirement of electronic filing--(1) Certain 
exhibits or attachments. Parties may file in paper form any exhibits or 
attachments that are not in a format that readily permits electronic 
filing, such as oversized documents; or are illegible when scanned into 
electronic format. Parties filing paper documents or things pursuant to 
this paragraph must deliver legible or usable copies of the documents 
or things in accordance with paragraph 350.5(a)(2) and must file 
electronically a notice of filing that includes a certificate of 
delivery.
    (2) Pro se parties. A pro se party must file documents in paper 
form and must deliver and accept delivery of documents in paper form, 
unless the pro se party has obtained an eCRB password.
    (k) Privacy Requirements. Unless otherwise instructed by the 
Copyright Royalty Judges, parties must exclude or redact from all 
electronically filed documents, whether designated ``restricted'' or 
not:
    (1) Social Security Numbers. If an individual's Social Security 
number must be included in a filed document for evidentiary reasons, 
the filer must use only the last four digits of that number.
    (2) Names of minor children. If a minor child must be mentioned in 
a document for evidentiary reasons, the filer must use only the 
initials of that child.
    (3) Dates of birth. If an individual's date of birth must be 
included in a pleading for evidentiary reasons, the filer must use only 
the year of birth.
    (4) Financial account numbers. If a financial account number is 
relevant evidence in the proceeding, the filer must use only the last 
four digits of the account identifier.
    (l) Incorrectly filed documents and technical difficulties. (1) The 
Copyright Royalty Board may direct an eCRB filer to re-file a document 
that has been incorrectly filed, or to correct an erroneous or 
inaccurate docket entry.
    (2) After the transition period, if an attorney or a pro se party 
who has been issued an eCRB password inadvertently presents a document 
for filing in paper form, the Copyright Royalty Board may direct the 
attorney or pro se party to file the document electronically. The 
document will be deemed filed on the date it was first presented for 
filing if, no later than the next business day after being so directed 
by the Copyright Royalty Board, the attorney or pro se participant 
files the document electronically. If the party fails to make the 
electronic filing on the next business day, the document will be deemed 
filed on the date of the electronic filing.
    (3) The inability to complete an electronic filing because of 
technical problems arising in the eCRB system may constitute ``good 
cause'' (as used in Sec.  350.6(b)(4)) for an order enlarging time or 
excusable neglect for the failure to act within the specified time. A 
filer encountering technical problems with an eCRB filing must 
immediately notify the Copyright Royalty Board of the problem either by 
email or by telephone, followed promptly by written confirmation. This 
rule does not provide authority to extend statutory time limits.


Sec.  350.6   Filing and delivery.

    (a) Filing of pleadings--(1) Electronic filing through eCRB. Except 
as described in Sec.  350.5(l)(2), any document filed by electronic 
means through eCRB in accordance with Sec.  350.5 constitutes filing 
for all purposes under this chapter, effective as of the date and time 
the document is received and timestamped by eCRB.
    (2) All other filings. For all filings not submitted by electronic 
means through eCRB, the submitting party must deliver an original, five 
paper copies, and one electronic copy in Portable Document Format (PDF) 
on an optical data storage medium such as a CD or DVD, a flash memory 
device, or an external hard disk drive to the Copyright Royalty Board 
in accordance with the provisions described in Sec.  301.2 of this 
chapter. In no case will the Copyright Royalty Board accept any 
document by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, except with 
prior express authorization of the Copyright Royalty Judges.
    (b) Exhibits. Filers must include all exhibits with the pleadings 
they support. In the case of exhibits not submitted by electronic means 
through eCRB, whose bulk or whose cost of reproduction would 
unnecessarily encumber the record or burden the party, the Copyright 
Royalty Judges will consider a motion, made in advance of the filing, 
to reduce the number of required copies. See Sec.  350.5(j).
    (c) English language translations. Filers must accompany each 
submission that is in a language other than English with an English-
language translation, duly verified under oath to be a true 
translation. Any other party to the proceeding may, in response, submit 
its own English-language translation, similarly verified, so long as 
the responding party's translation proves a substantive, relevant 
difference in the document.
    (d) Affidavits. The testimony of each witness must be accompanied 
by an affidavit or a declaration made pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1746 
supporting the testimony. See Sec.  350.5(f).
    (e) Subscription--(1) Parties represented by counsel. Subject to 
Sec.  350.5(e), all documents filed electronically by counsel must be 
signed by at least one attorney of record and must list the attorney's 
full name, mailing address, email address (if any), telephone number, 
and a state bar identification number. See Sec.  350.5(e). Submissions 
signed by an attorney for a party need not be verified or accompanied 
by an affidavit. The signature of an attorney constitutes certification 
that the contents of the document are true and correct, to the best of 
the signer's knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an 
inquiry reasonable under the circumstances and:
    (i) The document is not being presented for any improper purpose, 
such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in 
the cost of litigation;
    (ii) The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions therein are 
warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for the 
extension, modification, or reversal of existing law or the 
establishment of new law;
    (iii) The allegations and other factual contentions have 
evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, are likely to 
have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further 
investigation or discovery; and
    (iv) The denials of factual contentions are warranted by the 
evidence or, if specifically so identified, are reasonably based on a 
lack of information or belief.
    (2) Parties representing themselves. The original of all paper 
documents filed by a party not represented by counsel must be signed by 
that party and list that party's full name, mailing address, email 
address (if any), and telephone number. The party's signature will 
constitute the party's certification that, to the best of his or her 
knowledge and belief, there is good ground to support the document, and 
that it has not been interposed for purposes of delay.
    (f) Responses and replies. Responses in support of or opposition to 
motions must be filed within five days of the

[[Page 84530]]

filing of the motion. Replies to responses must be filed within four 
days of the filing of the response.
    (g) Participant list. The Copyright Royalty Judges will compile and 
distribute to those parties who have filed a valid petition to 
participate the official participant list for each proceeding. For all 
paper filings, a party must deliver a copy of the document to counsel 
for all other parties identified in the participant list, or, if the 
party is unrepresented by counsel, to the party itself. Parties must 
notify the Copyright Royalty Judges and all parties of any change in 
the name or address at which they will accept delivery and must update 
their eCRB profiles accordingly.
    (h) Delivery method and proof of delivery--(1) Electronic filings 
through eCRB. Electronic filing of any document through eCRB operates 
to effect delivery of the document to counsel or pro se participants 
who have obtained eCRB passwords, and the automatic notice of filing 
sent by eCRB to the filer constitutes proof of delivery. Counsel or 
parties who have not yet obtained eCRB passwords must deliver and 
receive delivery as provided in paragraph (h)(2). Parties making 
electronic filings are responsible for assuring delivery of all filed 
documents to parties that do not use the eCRB system.
    (2) Paper filings. During the course of a proceeding, each party 
must deliver all documents, including motions, responses and replies 
that they have not filed through eCRB to the other parties or their 
counsel by means no slower than overnight express mail on the same day 
they file the pleading, or by such other means as the parties may agree 
in writing among themselves. Parties must include a proof of delivery 
with any document delivered in accordance with this paragraph.


Sec.  350.7   Time.

    (a) Computation. To compute the due date for filing and delivering 
any document or performing any other act directed by an order of the 
Copyright Royalty Judges or the rules of the Copyright Royalty Board:
    (1) Exclude the day of the act, event, or default that begins the 
period.
    (2) Exclude intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays 
when the period is less than 11 days, unless computation of the due 
date is stated in calendar days.
    (3) Include the last day of the period, unless it is a Saturday, 
Sunday, legal holiday, or a day on which the weather or other 
conditions render the Copyright Royalty Board's office inaccessible.
    (4) As used in this rule, ``legal holiday'' means the date 
designated for the observance of New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, 
Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor 
Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and 
any other day declared a federal holiday by the President or the 
Congress.
    (5) Except as otherwise described in this Chapter or in an order by 
the Copyright Royalty Judges, the Copyright Royalty Board will consider 
documents to be timely filed only if:
    (i) They are filed electronically through eCRB and time-stamped by 
11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on the due date;
    (ii) They are sent by U.S. mail, are addressed in accordance with 
paragraph 301.2(a), have sufficient postage, and bear a USPS postmark 
on or before the due date;
    (iii) They are hand-delivered by private party to the Copyright 
Office Public Information Office in accordance with Sec.  301.2(b) of 
this chapter and received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the due date; or
    (iv) They are hand-delivered by commercial courier to the 
Congressional Courier Acceptance Site in accordance with paragraph 
301.2(c) and received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the due date.
    (6) Any document sent by mail and dated only with a business postal 
meter will be considered filed on the date it is actually received by 
the Library of Congress.
    (b) Extensions. A party seeking an extension must do so by written 
motion. Prior to filing such a motion, a party must attempt to obtain 
consent from the other parties to the proceeding. An extension motion 
must state:
    (1) The date on which the action or submission is due;
    (2) The length of the extension sought;
    (3) The date on which the action or submission would be due if the 
extension were allowed;
    (4) The reason or reasons why there is good cause for the delay;
    (5) The justification for the amount of additional time being 
sought; and
    (6) The attempts that have been made to obtain consent from the 
other parties to the proceeding and the position of the other parties 
on the motion.


Sec.  350.8  Construction and waiver.

    The regulations of the Copyright Royalty Judges are intended to 
provide efficient and just administrative proceedings and will be 
construed to advance these purposes. For purposes of an individual 
proceeding, the provisions of this subchapter may be suspended or 
waived, in whole or in part, upon a showing of good cause, to the 
extent allowable by law.

PART 351--PROCEEDINGS

0
4. The authority citation for part 351 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 17 U.S.C. 803.

0
5. In Sec.  351.1 revise paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  351.1   Initiation of proceedings.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) Filing fee. A petition to participate must be accompanied with 
a filing fee of $150 or the petition will be rejected. For petitions 
filed electronically through eCRB, payment must be made to the 
Copyright Royalty Board through the payment portal designated on eCRB. 
For petitions filed by other means, payment must be made to the 
Copyright Royalty Board by check or by money order. If a check is 
subsequently dishonored, the petition will be rejected. If the 
petitioner believes that the contested amount of that petitioner's 
claim will be $1,000 or less, the petitioner must so state in the 
petition to participate and should not include payment of the $150 
filing fee. If it becomes apparent during the course of the proceedings 
that the contested amount of the claim is more than $1,000, the 
Copyright Royalty Judges will require payment of the filing fee at that 
time.

    Dated: November 16, 2016.
Suzanne M. Barnett,
Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. 2016-27932 Filed 11-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 1410-72-P