(a) Timing. Upon receipt of the second payment of the filing fee set forth in § 201.3(g) of this subchapter and after completion of the 14-day period specified in the Board's order pursuant to § 222.7, the Board shall issue an initial scheduling order through eCCB, subject to § 222.7(b)(1).
(b) Content of initial scheduling order. The scheduling order shall include the dates or deadlines for:
(1) Filing of a response to the claim by the respondent;
(2) A pre-discovery conference with a Copyright Claims Officer (Officer) to discuss case management, including discovery, and the possibility of resolving the claims and any counterclaims through settlement;
(3) Service of responses to standard interrogatories;
(4) Service of documents in response to standard requests for the production of documents;
(5) Requests for leave to seek additional discovery;
(6) Close of discovery;
(7) A post-discovery conference with an Officer to discuss further case management, including the possibility of resolving the claims and any counterclaims through settlement; and
(8) Filing of each party's written testimony and responses, pursuant to § 222.15.
(c) Conferences. In addition to those identified in paragraph (b) of this section, the Board may hold additional conferences, at its own election or at the request of any party. Requests for a conference and any responses thereto shall follow the procedures set forth in § 220.5(a)(1) of this subchapter. All conferences shall be held virtually.
(d) Amended scheduling order. The Board may amend the initial scheduling order—
(1) Upon the clearance of a counterclaim by a Copyright Claims Attorney pursuant to § 224.1(c)(1) of this subchapter, to add a deadline for the service of a response by a claimant to a counterclaim and to amend other previously scheduled dates in the prior scheduling order;
(2) Upon request of one or more of the parties to an active proceeding submitted through eCCB. Requests to amend the scheduling order and any responses thereto shall follow the procedures set forth in § 220.5(a)(1) of this subchapter;
(3) As necessary to adjust the schedule for conferences or hearings or the staying of the proceeding;
(4) As necessary to facilitate settlement pursuant to § 222.18; or
(5) Upon its own initiative in the interests of maintaining orderly administration of the Board's docket.
[87 FR 30077, May 17, 2022]