[ML 470] SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, WASHINGTON, D.C. CONGRESS ESTABLISHES NEW COPYRIGHT ARBITRATION ROYALTY PANELS *The "COPYRIGHT ROYALTY TRIBUNAL REFORM ACT OF 1993," Public Law 103-198, 107 Stat. 2304, which became effective December 17, 1993, transfers the functions of the Copyright Royalty Tribunal to the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office. *The new law establishes ad hoc arbitration panels consisting of three members to be appointed by the Librarian of Congress. *Ratemaking and distributions of copyright royalties collected under the compulsory licenses of the Copyright Act will now be entrusted to the arbitration panels. *Regulations governing the procedures, general requirements, and administration of royalty ratemaking and distributions are currently being drafted to make the transition from the Copyright Royalty Tribunal to the Library of Congress as smooth as possible. *The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress will begin, without delay, to receive and process royalty claims of copyright owners for royalties collected under the new Act. This announcement is intended to alert you to the change and give you some preliminary information about implementing the Copyright Royalty Tribunal Reform Act of 1993. We will keep you informed as new information becomes available. Should you have any questions during this interim period, contact the Copyright Office's Licensing Division at Licensing Division, LM-458 Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels Copyright Office Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20557-6400 Telephone: (202) 707-8150 FAX: (202) 707-0905 COPYRIGHT OFFICE*LIBRARY OF CONGRESS*WASHINGTON, D.C. ***12/22/93 (er)***