[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 2652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00684]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Copyright Royalty Board

[Docket Nos. 23-CRB-0016-AU (Cumulus Media), 23-CRB-0018-AU (Spanish 
Broadcasting System), 23-CRB-0019-AU (Stephens Media Group), 23-CRB-
0020-AU (SummitMedia, LLC) 23-CRB-0021-AU (Urban One)]


Notice of Intent To Audit

AGENCY: Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Public notice.

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SUMMARY: The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from 
SoundExchange, Inc., of notices of intent to audit the 2020, 2021, and 
2022 statements of account submitted by commercial webcasters Cumulus 
Media, Spanish Broadcasting, Stephens Media Group, Summit Media, Urban 
One concerning royalty payments they made pursuant to two statutory 
licenses.

ADDRESSES: Dockets: For access to the dockets to read background 
documents, go to eCRB at https://app.crb.gov and perform a case search 
for docket 23-CRB-0016-AU (Cumulus Media), 23-CRB-0018-AU (Spanish 
Broadcasting System), 23-CRB-0019-AU (Stephens Media Group), 23-CRB-
0020-AU (SummitMedia, LLC), or 23-CRB-0021-AU (Urban One).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Brown, (202) 707-7658, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#492a3b2b0925262a672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9dfeefffddf1f2feb3faf2eb">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Copyright Act grants to sound recordings 
copyright owners the exclusive right to publicly perform sound 
recordings by means of certain digital audio transmissions, subject to 
limitations. Specifically, the right is limited by the statutory 
license in section 114, which allows nonexempt noninteractive digital 
subscription services, eligible nonsubscription services, and 
preexisting satellite digital audio radio services to perform publicly 
sound recordings by means of digital audio transmissions. 17 U.S.C. 
114(f). In addition, a statutory license in section 112 allows a 
service to make necessary ephemeral reproductions to facilitate digital 
transmission of the sound recording. 17 U.S.C. 112(e).
    Licensees may operate under these licenses provided they pay the 
royalty fees and comply with the terms set by the Copyright Royalty 
Judges. The rates and terms for the section 112 and 114 licenses are 
codified in 37 CFR parts 380 and 382-84.
    As one of the terms for these licenses, the Judges designated 
SoundExchange, Inc., (SoundExchange) as the Collective, i.e., the 
organization charged with collecting the royalty payments and 
statements of account submitted by licensees, including those that 
operate commercial and noncommercial webcaster services, preexisting 
satellite digital audio radio services, new subscription services, and 
those that make ephemeral copies for transmission to business 
establishments. The Collective is also charged with distributing the 
royalties to the copyright owners and performers entitled to receive 
them under the section 112 and 114 licenses. See 37 CFR 380.4(d)(1), 
382.5(d)(1), 383.4(a), 384.4(b)(1).
    As the Collective, SoundExchange may, only once a year, conduct an 
audit of a licensee for any or all of the prior three calendar years to 
verify royalty payments. SoundExchange must first file with the Judges 
a notice of intent to audit a licensee and deliver the notice to the 
licensee. See 37 CFR 380.6(b), 382.7(b), 383.4(a) and 384.6(b).
    On December 22, 2023, SoundExchange filed with the Judges notices 
of intent to audit the statements of account submitted by commercial 
webcasters Cumulus Media, Spanish Broadcasting, Stephens Media Group, 
Summit Media, Urban One for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Judges 
must publish notice in the Federal Register within 30 days of receipt 
of a notice announcing the Collective's intent to conduct an audit. See 
37 CFR 380.6(c) 382.7(c), 383.4(a) and 384.6(c). This notice fulfills 
the Judges' publication obligation with respect to SoundExchange's 
December 22, 2023 notices of intent to audit commercial webcasters 
Cumulus Media, Spanish Broadcasting, Stephens Media Group, Summit 
Media, Urban One for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.

    Dated: January 9, 2024.
David P. Shaw,
Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. 2024-00684 Filed 1-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1410-72-P


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