Federal Register: November 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 224)
DOCID: fr23no09-92 FR Doc E9-27980
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Copyright Royalty Board
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr23no09-92
DOCUMENT ACTION: Public notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Intent To Audit
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Copyright Royalty Judges are announcing receipt of a notice of intent to audit the 2006, 2007 and 2008 statements of account submitted by AOL LLC concerning the royalty payments made under two statutory licenses.
SUMMARY:
Intent to Audit
DOCUMENT BODY:
[[Page 61177]]
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
In 1995, Congress enacted the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 (``DPRA''), Public Law 10439, which created an exclusive right for copyright owners of sound recordings, subject to certain limitations, to perform publicly sound recordings by means of certain digital audio transmissions. Among the limitations on the performance right was the creation of a compulsory license for nonexempt noninteractive digital subscription transmissions. 17 U.S.C. 114(f).
Section 114 was later amended with the passage of the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (``DMCA''), Public Law 105304, to
cover additional digital audio transmissions, including eligible
nonsubscription transmissions.\1\ In addition to expanding the section
114 license, the DMCA also created a statutory license to allow a
service to make any necessary ephemeral reproductions to facilitate the
digital transmission of the sound recording. 17 U.S.C. 112(e). \1\ An ``eligible nonsubscription transmission'' is a
noninteractive digital audio transmission which, as the name
implies, does not require a subscription for receiving the
transmission. The transmission must also be made as a part of a
service that provides audio programming consisting in whole or in
part of performances of sound recordings the primary purpose of
which is to provide audio or entertainment programming, but not to
sell, advertise, or promote particular goods or services other than
sound recordings, live concerts, or other musicrelated events. 17 U.S.C. 114(j)(6).
Licensees may operate under these licenses provided they pay the royalty fees and comply with the terms set by the Copyright Royalty Judges (``Judges''). On May 1, 2007, the Judges issued their final determination setting rates and terms for the section 112 and 114 licenses for the period 20062010. 72 FR 24084. As part of the terms set for these licenses, the Judges designated SoundExchange, Inc. as the organization charged with collecting the royalty payments and statements of account and distributing the royalties to the copyright owners and performers entitled to receive such royalties under the section 112 and 114 licenses. 37 CFR 380.4(b)(1). As the designated Collective, SoundExchange may conduct a single audit of a licensee for any calendar year for the purpose of verifying their royalty payments. SoundExchange must first file with the Judges a notice of intent to audit a licensee and serve the notice on the licensee to be audited. 37 CFR 380.6(b), (c).
On November 5, 2009, pursuant to 37 CFR 380.6(c), SoundExchange filed with the Judges a notice of intent to audit AOL LLC for the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. Section 380.6(c) requires the Judges to publish a notice in the Federal Register within 30 days of receipt of the notice announcing the Collective's intent to conduct an audit.
In accordance with 37 CFR 380.6(c), the Copyright Royalty Judges
are publishing today's notice to fulfill this requirement with respect
to SoundExchange's notice of intent to audit AOL LLC filed November 5, 2009.
Dated: November 17, 2009.
James Scott Sledge,
Chief, U.S. Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. E927980 Filed 112009; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 141072P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Richard Strasser, Senior Attorney, or Gina Giuffreda, Attorney Advisor, by telephone at (202) 7077658 or e mail at crb@loc.gov.