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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 4169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01023]

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Copyright Royalty Board

[Docket No. 2012-10 CRB SD 2011]

Distribution of 2011 Satellite Royalty Funds

AGENCY: Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Notice requesting comments.

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SUMMARY: The Copyright Royalty Judges are soliciting comments on a 
motion of Phase I claimants for partial distribution in connection with 
the 2011 satellite royalty funds. The Judges are also requesting 
comments as to the existence of Phase I and Phase II controversies with 
respect to the distribution of 2011 satellite royalty funds.

DATES: Comments are due on or before February 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent electronically to crb@loc.gov. In the 
alternative, send an original, five copies, and an electronic copy on a 
CD either by mail or hand delivery. Please do not use multiple means of 
transmission. Comments may not be delivered by an overnight delivery 
service other than the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail. If by mail 
(including overnight delivery), comments must be addressed to: 
Copyright Royalty Board, P.O. Box 70977, Washington, DC 20024-0977. If 
hand delivered by a private party, comments must be brought to the 
Library of Congress, James Madison Memorial Building, LM-401, 101 
Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000. If delivered by a 
commercial courier, comments must be delivered to the Congressional 
Courier Acceptance Site located at 2nd and D Street, NE., Washington, 
DC. The envelope must be addressed to: Copyright Royalty Board, Library 
of Congress, James Madison Memorial Building, LM-403, 101 Independence 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lakeshia Keys, Program Specialist, by 
telephone at (202) 707-7658 or email at crb@loc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 12, 2012, representatives of the 
Phase I claimant categories (the ``Phase I Claimants'') \1\ filed with 
the Judges a motion requesting a partial distribution of 50% of the 
2011 satellite royalty funds pursuant to section 801(b)(3)(C) of the 
Copyright Act. 17 U.S.C. 801(b)(3)(C). That section requires that the 
Judges publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking responses to 
the motion for partial distribution to ascertain whether any claimant 
entitled to receive such fees has a reasonable objection to the 
requested distribution before ruling on the motion. Consequently, this 
Notice seeks comments from interested claimants on whether any 
reasonable objection exists that would preclude the distribution of 50% 
of the 2011 satellite royalty funds to the Phase I Claimants. The 
Judges must be advised of the existence and extent of all such 
objections by the end of the comment period. The Judges will not 
consider any objections with respect to the partial distribution motion 
that come to their attention after the close of that period.
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    \1\ The ``Phase I Claimants'' are Program Suppliers, Joint 
Sports Claimants, Broadcaster Claimants Group, Music Claimants 
(represented by American Society of Composers, Authors and 
Publishers, Broadcast Music, Inc., and SESAC, Inc.), and Devotional 
Claimants. In Phase I of a satellite royalty distribution 
proceeding, royalties are allocated among certain categories of 
broadcast programming that have been retransmitted by satellite 
systems. The categories have traditionally been movies and 
syndicated television series, sports programming, commercial 
broadcaster-owned programming, religious programming, and music. 
Public Television Claimants, Canadian Claimants, and National Public 
Radio, which traditionally have received Phase I shares of cable 
royalties, do not claim Phase I shares of the satellite royalty 
funds. In Phase II of a satellite royalty distribution proceeding, 
royalties are allocated among claimants within each of the Phase I 
categories.
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    The Judges also seek comment on the existence and extent of any 
controversies to the 2011 satellite royalty funds at Phase I or Phase 
II with respect to those funds that would remain if the motion for 
partial distribution is granted.
    The Motion of the Phase I Claimants for Partial Distribution is 
posted on the Copyright Royalty Board Web site at http://www.loc.gov/crb.

    Dated: January 15, 2013.
Suzanne M. Barnett,
Chief U.S. Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. 2013-01023 Filed 1-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1410-72-P
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