[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 2643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00641]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Copyright Royalty Board

[Docket No. 22-CRB-0009-AU (Stingray Group Inc.)]


Notice of Intent To Audit

AGENCY: Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Public notice.

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SUMMARY: The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from 
SoundExchange, Inc., of a notice of intent to audit the 2019, 2020, and 
2021 statements of account submitted by Stingray Group Inc.'s various 
services, including its Commercial Webcaster Service, New Subscription 
Service, and Business Establishment Service, concerning royalty 
payments they made pursuant to two statutory licenses.

ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the dockets to read background 
documents, go to eCRB at https://app.crb.gov and perform a case search 
for docket 22-CRB-0009-AU (Stingray Group Inc.).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Brown, (202) 707-7658, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Copyright Act grants to sound recordings 
copyright owners the exclusive right to publicly perform sound 
recordings by means of certain digital audio transmissions, subject to 
limitations. Specifically, the right is limited by the statutory 
license in section 114, which allows nonexempt noninteractive digital 
subscription services, eligible nonsubscription services, and 
preexisting satellite digital audio radio services to perform publicly 
sound recordings by means of digital audio transmissions. 17 U.S.C. 
114(f). In addition, a statutory license in section 112 allows a 
service to make necessary ephemeral reproductions to facilitate digital 
transmission of the sound recording. 17 U.S.C. 112(e).
    Licensees may operate under these licenses provided they pay the 
royalty fees and comply with the terms set by the Copyright Royalty 
Judges. The rates and terms for the section 112 and 114 licenses are 
codified in 37 CFR parts 380 and 382-84.
    As one of the terms for these licenses, the Judges designated 
SoundExchange, Inc., (SoundExchange) as the Collective, i.e., the 
organization charged with collecting the royalty payments and 
statements of account submitted by licensees, including those that 
operate commercial webcaster services, preexisting satellite digital 
audio radio services, new subscription services, and those that make 
ephemeral copies for transmission to business establishments. The 
Collective is also charged with distributing the royalties to the 
copyright owners and performers entitled to receive them under the 
section 112 and 114 licenses. See 37 CFR 380.4(d)(1), 382.5(d)(1), 
383.4(a), 384.4(b)(1).
    As the Collective, SoundExchange may, only once a year, conduct an 
audit of a licensee for any or all of the prior three calendar years to 
verify royalty payments. SoundExchange must first file with the Judges 
a notice of intent to audit a licensee and deliver the notice to the 
licensee. See 37 CFR 380.6(b), 382.7(b), 383.4(a) and 384.6(b).
    On December 22, 2022, SoundExchange filed with the Judges a notice 
of intent to audit the statements of account submitted by Stingray 
Group Inc.'s Commercial Webcaster Service, New Subscription Service, 
and Business Establishment Service, for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. 
The Judges must publish notice in the Federal Register within 30 days 
of receipt of a notice announcing the Collective's intent to conduct an 
audit. See 37 CFR 380.6(c) 382.7(c), 383.4(a) and 384.6(c). This notice 
fulfills the Judges' publication obligation with respect to 
SoundExchange's December 22, 2022 notice of intent to audit Stingray 
Group Inc for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.

    Dated: January 10, 2023.
David P. Shaw,
Chief Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. 2023-00641 Filed 1-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1410-72-P