#### § 381.7 Recording rights, rates and terms.

(a) *Scope.* This section establishes rates and terms for the recording of nondramatic performances and displays of musical works, other than compositions subject to voluntary license agreements, on and for the radio and television programs of public broadcasting entities, whether or not in synchronization or timed relationship with the visual or aural content, and for the making, reproduction, and distribution of copies and phonorecords of public broadcasting programs containing such nondramatic performances and displays of musical works solely for the purpose of transmission by public broadcasting entities, including transmission via the internet by PBS and NPR. The schedule of rates and terms established in this section include the making of the reproductions described in 17 U.S.C. 118(c)(3).

(b) *Royalty rate.*

(1)

(i) For uses described in paragraph (a) of this section of a musical work in a PBS-distributed program, the royalty fees shall be calculated by multiplying the following per-composition rates by the number of different compositions in that PBS-distributed program:

| | 2023-2027 |
| --- | --- |
| (A) Feature | $121.07 |
| (B) Concert feature (per minute) | 36.36 |
| (C) Background | 61.19 |
| (D) Theme: | |
| (*1*) Single program or first series program | 61.19 |
| (*2*) Other series program | 24.84 |

(ii) For such uses other than in a PBS-distributed television program, the royalty fee shall be calculated by multiplying the following per-composition rates by the number of different compositions in that program:

| | 2023-2027 |
| --- | --- |
| (A) Feature | $10.01 |
| (B) Concert feature (per minute) | 2.63 |
| (C) Background | 4.35 |
| (D) Theme: | |
| (*1*) Single program or first series program | 4.35 |
| (*2*) Other series program | 1.73 |

(iii) In the event the work is first recorded other than in a PBS-distributed program, and such program is subsequently distributed by PBS, an additional royalty payment shall be made equal to the difference between the rate specified in this section for other than a PBS-distributed program and the rate specified in this section for a PBS-distributed program.

(2) For uses licensed under this section of a musical work in an NPR program, the royalty fees shall be calculated by multiplying the following per-composition rates by the number of different compositions in any NPR program distributed by NPR. For purposes of the schedule established in this section, “National Public Radio” programs include all programs produced in whole or in part by NPR, or by any NPR station or organization under contract with NPR.

| | 2023-2027 |
| --- | --- |
| (i) Feature | $13.11 |
| (ii) Concert feature (per minute) | 19.24 |
| (iii) Background | 6.56 |
| (iv) Theme: | |
| (A) Single program or first series program | 6.56 |
| (B) Other series program | 2.62 |

(3) For purposes of the schedule established in this section, a “concert feature” shall be deemed to be the nondramatic presentation in a program of all or part of a symphony, concerto, or other serious work originally written for concert performance, or the nondramatic presentation in a program of portions of a serious work originally written for opera performance.

(4) For such uses other than in an NPR-produced radio program:

| | 2023-2027 |
| --- | --- |
| (i) Feature | $.83 |
| (ii) Feature (concert) (per half hour) | 1.72 |
| (iii) Background | .42 |

(5) The schedule of fees covers use for a period of three years following the first use. Succeeding use periods will require the following additional payment: Additional one-year period—25 percent of the initial three-year fee; second three-year period—50 percent of the initial three-year fee; each three-year fee thereafter—25 percent of the initial three-year fee; provided that a 100 percent additional payment prior to the expiration of the first three-year period will cover use during all subsequent use periods without limitation. Such succeeding uses which are subsequent to December 31, 2022, shall be subject to the schedule of royalty rates established in this section.

(6) For each use licensed under this section pursuant to paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (b)(2) of this section for transmission via the internet, the royalty fees shall include a pro-rata share of $2,000 per calendar year, which share shall be determined by calculating the aggregate amount of royalty fees earned during that calendar year and dividing the sum by the amount of royalty fees earned for each use.

(c) *Payment of royalty rates.* The required royalty due under paragraphs (b)(1), (2), and (4) of this section shall be paid to each known copyright owner not later than July 31 of each calendar year for uses during the first six months of that calendar year and not later than January 31 for uses during the last six months of the preceding calendar year. The required royalty due under paragraph (b)(6) of this section for each calendar year of the statutory license term shall be paid to each known copyright owner not later than March 31 of each following year for PBS- or NPR-distributed uses via the internet during the preceding calendar year.

(d) *Records of use* —

(1) *Maintenance of cue sheets.* PBS and its stations, NPR, or other public broadcasting entities shall maintain and make available for examination pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section copies of their standard cue sheets or summaries of same listing the recording of the musical works of such copyright owners.

(2) *Content of cue sheets or summaries.* Such cue sheets or summaries shall include:

(i) The title, composer and author to the extent such information is reasonably obtainable.

(ii) The type of use and manner of performance thereof in each case.

(iii) For Concert Feature music, the actual recorded time period on the program, plus all distribution and broadcast information available to the public broadcasting entity.

(e) *Filing of use reports with the Copyright Royalty Judges: deposit of cue sheets or summaries.* PBS and its stations, NPR, or other television public broadcasting entity shall deposit with the Copyright Royalty Judges via online filing in eCRB one electronic copy of their standard music cue sheets or summaries of same listing the recording pursuant to the schedule established in this section of the musical works of copyright owners. Such cue sheets or summaries shall be deposited not later than July 31 of each calendar year for recordings during the first six months of the calendar year and not later than January 31 of each calendar year for recordings during the second six months of the preceding calendar year. PBS and NPR shall maintain at their offices copies of all standard music cue sheets from which such music use reports are prepared. Such music cue sheets shall be furnished to the Copyright Royalty Judges upon their request and also shall be available during regular business hours at the offices of PBS or NPR for examination by a copyright owner who believes a musical composition of such owner has been recorded pursuant to the schedule.

[72 FR 67647, Nov. 30, 2007, as amended at 77 FR 71108, Nov. 29, 2012; 83 FR 2742, Jan. 19, 2018; 88 FR 41832, June 28, 2023]