Library of Congress – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is publishing the royalty rates for analog television broadcast stations retransmitted by satellite carriers under the section 119 statutory license.

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is amending its final regulations concerning group registration of published photographs to limit to 750 the number of photographs that may be identified on continuation sheets submitted with a single application form and filing fee. The regulation continues to place no limit on the number of photographs that may be included in a single group registration when the applicant elects not to use continuation sheets and instead identifies the date of publication for each photograph on the deposited image and the applicant meets the other regulatory requirements for group registration of published photographs. The regulation also clarifies that the date of publication for each photograph may be identified in a text file on the CD-ROM or DVD that contains the photographic images or on a list that accompanies the deposit and provides the publication date for each image.

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is proposing amendments to the rules governing reports of use of sound recordings under the statutory license for preexisting subscription services.

The Copyright Office announces a modification to a policy decision announced January 21, 2005, concerning changing the format of certain copyright registration certificates. The modification clarifies how the Office will select applications for registration to be included in a pilot program in which certificates of registration will be generated from registration data scanned from the applications and stored in an electronic information system.

This document makes technical amendments to the Copyright Office regulation permitting copyright applicants to request reconsideration of decisions to refuse registration.

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is requesting comment as to whether the 2005 cable statutory license rate adjustment proceeding should take place under the auspices of the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (``CARP'') system or the new Copyright Royalty Judge (``CRJ'') system.

The Copyright Office seeks to examine the issues raised by ``orphan works,'' i.e., copyrighted works whose owners are difficult or even impossible to locate. Concerns have been raised that the uncertainty surrounding ownership of such works might needlessly discourage subsequent creators and users from incorporating such works in new creative efforts or making such works available to the public. This notice requests written comments from all interested parties. Specifically, the Office is seeking comments on whether there are compelling concerns raised by orphan works that merit a legislative, regulatory or other solution, and what type of solution could effectively address these concerns without conflicting with the legitimate interests of authors and right holders.

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is announcing receipt of three notices of intent to audit preexisting subscription services that transmit sound recordings under statutory licenses. The audits intend to verify statements of account for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003.