Library of Congress 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Copyright Office is undertaking a public study to assess the operation of section 1201 of Title 17, including the triennial rulemaking process established under the DMCA to adopt exemptions to the prohibition against circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works. To aid this effort, and to ensure thorough assistance to Congress, the Office is seeking public input on a number of key questions.

The U.S. Copyright Office is undertaking a study at the request of Congress to review the role of copyright law with respect to software-enabled consumer products. The topics of public inquiry include whether the application of copyright law to software in everyday products enables or frustrates innovation and creativity in the design, distribution and legitimate uses of new products and innovative services. The Office also is seeking information as to whether legitimate interests or business models for copyright owners and users could be improved or undermined by changes to the copyright law in this area. This is a highly specific study not intended to examine or address more general questions about software and copyright protection.

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 0% in the royalty rates satellite carriers pay for a compulsory license under the Copyright Act. The COLA is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index from October 2014 to October 2015.

The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on a motion for partial distribution in connection with 2014 DART Sound Recordings Fund royalties.

The Copyright Royalty Judges publish final regulations that set the rates and terms for the digital performances of sound recordings by certain public radio stations and for the making of ephemeral recordings necessary to facilitate those transmissions for the period commencing January 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2020.

The Copyright Royalty Judges publish final regulations that set the rates and terms for the digital performances of sound recordings by certain noncommercial educational webcasters and for the making of ephemeral recordings necessary to facilitate those transmissions for the period commencing January 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2020.

The Copyright Royalty Judges (Judges) announce the commencement of a proceeding to adjust the rates for the cable statutory license described in section 111 of the Copyright Act. The Judges also announce the date by which a party who wishes to participate in the proceeding must file its Petition to Participate and pay the $150 filing fee.

The Copyright Royalty Board announces the commencement of proceedings to determine distribution of 2013 royalties deposited with the Copyright Office under the cable service statutory license and the satellite carrier statutory license. The Judges also set the date by which all parties wishing to participate and share in the distribution of cable or satellite retransmission royalties for 2013 must file a Petition to Participate and pay the accompanying $150 filing fee. The Judges seek a single Petition to Participate at any stage of the cable royalty proceeding and a separate Petition to Participate at any stage of the satellite royalty proceeding.

The U.S. Copyright Office is reviewing how certain visual works, particularly photographs, graphic artworks, and illustrations, are monetized, enforced, and registered under the Copyright Act. The Office seeks commentary on the current marketplace for these visual works, as well as observations regarding the real or potential obstacles that authors, and, as applicable, their licensees or other representatives face when navigating the digital landscape. This work builds upon previous studies and public inquiries in a number of areas, including small claims, the making available right, resale royalties, registration, recordation, and the interoperability of records. As always, the Office is interested in the perspectives of copyright owners as well as users of these creative works. This is a general inquiry that will likely lead to additional specific inquiries.

The announcement of the commencement of a proceeding published on March 30, 2015, 80 FR 16702 is withdrawn.

The United States Copyright Office will be holding public hearings as part of the sixth triennial rulemaking proceeding under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (``DMCA'') concerning possible exemptions to the DMCA's prohibition against circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works. The public hearings will be held in May 2014 in Los Angeles, California and Washington, DC. Parties interested in testifying at the public hearings are invited to submit requests to testify pursuant to the instructions set forth below.

The Copyright Royalty Judges are publishing for comment proposed regulations governing the rates and terms for the digital performances of sound recordings by certain public radio stations and for the making of ephemeral recordings necessary to facilitate those transmissions for the period commencing January 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2020.

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce the final Phase II distribution of cable royalty funds for the year 1999. The judges issued their initial determination in December 2014 and received no motions for rehearing.

The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on a motion of Phase I claimants for partial distribution of 2013 satellite royalty funds.

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt of two notices of intent to audit the 2011, 2012, and 2013 statements of account submitted by iHeartMedia, Inc. and CBS Radio Inc. concerning royalty payments each made pursuant to two statutory licenses.

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt of a notice of intent to audit the 2011, 2012, and 2013 statements of account of Galaxie concerning the royalty payments its New Subscription Service made pursuant to two statutory licenses.

The Copyright Royalty Judges are publishing for comment proposed regulations that would set the royalty rates and terms for the digital transmission of sound recordings by new subscription services and for the making of ephemeral recordings necessary to facilitate those transmissions for the period commencing January 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2020.