Copyright Office Proposes Regulation for Verification of Cable and Satellite Statements of Account
The Copyright Office proposes a new regulation to implement provisions in the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA). The new regulation will allow copyright owners to audit certain statements of account filed with the Copyright Office. Cable operators and satellite carriers pay royalties to, and file statements of account with, the Copyright Office every six months as required by law for the use of the statutory licenses that allow for the retransmission of programming carried on over-the-air broadcast signals. However, until the passage of STELA, the licenses did not authorize the copyright owners, who are the beneficiaries of the royalties collected, to audit the information on statements of account and the amounts paid for use of the statutory licenses. Comments are due August 13, 2012. Reply comments are due September 12, 2012. A comment submission page is posted on the Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov/docs/soaaudit/.
July 1, 2012
Effective date of discontinuance of Form CO and removal from regulations of references to CON1 and CON2.
July 9, 2012
Due date for comments on proposal to amend regulations regarding filing a Notice of Intention under Section 115.
July 16, 2012
Due date for comments on proposal to amend regulations governing the definition of a “claimant”
August 13, 2012
Due date for comments on proposed regulation on verification of statements of account submitted by cable operators and satellite carriers
August 15, 2012
Due date for reply comments on proposal to amend regulations governing the definition of a “claimant”
September 12, 2012
Due date for reply comments on proposed regulation on verification of statements of account submitted by cable operators and satellite carriers.
