Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Library of Congress

###### Copyright Royalty Board

          - [Docket Nos. 24-CRB-0012-AU (Beasley Mezzanine Holdings LLC), 24-CRB-0013-AU (Family Stations, Inc.), 24-CRB-0014-AU (Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.), 24-CRB-0015-AU (iHeartMedia), 24-CRB-0016-AU (Midwest Communications)]

# AGENCY:

Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress.

# ACTION:

Public notice.

# SUMMARY:

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from SoundExchange, Inc., of notices of intent to audit the 2021, 2022, and 2023 statements of account submitted by commercial webcasters Beasley Mezzanine Holdings, LLC, Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., iHeartMedia, and Midwest Communications, Inc. and non-commercial webcaster Family Stations, Inc. 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 24-CRB-0012-AU (Beasley Mezzanine Holdings LLC), 24-CRB-0013-AU (Family Stations, Inc.), 24-CRB-0014-AU (Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.), 24-CRB-0015-AU (iHeartMedia), or 24-CRB-0016-AU (Midwest Communications).                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Anita Brown, (202) 707-7658,                         *crb@loc.gov.*

# 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 20, 2024, SoundExchange filed with the Judges notices of intent to audit the statements of account submitted by commercial webcasters Beasley Mezzanine Holdings, Hubbard Broadcasting, iHeartMedia, and Midwest Communications and non-commercial webcaster Family Stations for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. 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 Beasley Mezzanine Holdings, Hubbard Broadcasting, iHeartMedia, and Midwest Communications and non-commercial webcaster Family Stations for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023.                

Dated: January 8, 2025.

David P. Shaw,

Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.

[FR Doc. 2025-00623 Filed 1-13-25; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 1410-72-P