[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 111 (Friday, June 11, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12312]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Copyright Royalty Board

37 CFR Part 351

[Docket No. 21-CRB-0007-RM]


Copyright Royalty Board Regulations Regarding the Conduct of 
Proceedings

AGENCY: Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Copyright Royalty Judges are amending regulations to 
clarify that their hearings may be conducted in person at the Library 
of Congress or an alternative location, or virtually, at the Judges' 
discretion.

DATES: Effective June 11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the docket to read background 
documents or comments received, go to eCRB at https://app.crb.gov and 
perform a case search for docket 21-CRB-0007-RM.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Blaine, CRB Program Specialist, 
at 202-707-7658 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 26, 2021, the Copyright Royalty 
Judges (Judges) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (notice) in 
the Federal Register seeking comments on a proposed rule to codify the 
fact that future hearings may be conducted physically, either at the 
Library of Congress or an alternative location, or virtually, at the 
Judges' discretion. 86 FR 1163 (Feb. 26, 2021). The Judges received one 
comment, from SoundExchange, a regular participant in Copyright Royalty 
Board proceedings, in favor of the proposed rule. SoundExchange cites 
to past hearings that the Judges conducted, in coordination and 
consultation with the participants, in alternate locations and 
virtually. It also anticipates the possibility that virtual hearings 
could make sense in the future, and notes that the proposed rule 
provides flexibility regarding the virtual platform. Therefore, for the 
reasons indicated in the February 26, 2021 notice, the Judges adopt the 
proposed changes to part 351, as detailed in this final rule.

List of Subjects in 37 CFR Part 351

    Administrative practice and procedure, Copyright.

Final Regulations

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Copyright Royalty 
Judges amend 37 CFR 351 as follows:

PART 351--PROCEEDINGS

0
1. The authority citation for part 351 continues to read:

    Authority: 17 U.S.C. 803.


0
2. Revise Sec.  351.9(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  351.9  Conduct of hearings.

    (a)(1) By panels. Subject to paragraph (b) of this section, 
hearings will be conducted by Copyright Royalty Judges sitting en banc.
    (2) Location. Hearings will be conducted in person at the Library 
of Congress or an alternative location, or virtually, at the Judges' 
discretion.
* * * * *

    Dated: May 17, 2021.
Jesse M. Feder,
Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.

    Approved by:
Carla D. Hayden,
Librarian of Congress.
[FR Doc. 2021-12312 Filed 6-10-21; 8:45 am]
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