The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is announcing the existence of a controversy as to the establishment of rates and terms for the digital public performance of sound recordings license (as it pertains to webcasters) under 17 U.S.C. 114 and for the making of ephemeral copies in furtherance of a digital public performance under 17 U.S.C. 112 and is initiating an arbitration proceeding to set the rates and terms for these licenses. The arbitration proceeding begins on July 30, 2001, and runs for a period of 180 days. (read details)

Copyright Office Requests Comment On Proposed Regulations Governing Section 114 Designated Agent

The Copyright Office is requesting comment on proposed regulations that will govern the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) collective when it functions as the designated agent receiving royalty payments and statements of accounts from nonexempt, subscription digital transmission services that make digital transmissions of sound recordings under the provisions of section 114 of the Copyright Act. Comments are due August 22, 2001. (read details)

Revised Copyright Act Available Online

The Copyright Office Website has been updated to include the most recent version of the Copyright Act, as amended. It contains the text of title 17 of the United States Code, including all amendments enacted through the end of the second session of the 106th Congress in 2000. The printed version, available from the Government Printing Office, is current only through the end of the first session of the 106th Congress. Specifically, this update incorporates the Work Made for Hire and Copyright Corrections Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-379, 114 Stat. 1444 (amending the definition of work made for hire in title 17 of the United States Code, amending chapter 7 of title 17, including changing the language regarding Copyright Office fees, and making other technical and conforming amendments to title 17), enacted October 27, 2000.