[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 23, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 60129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23756]
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Copyright Royalty Board
[Docket Nos. 25-CRB-0016-AU (Cox Media Group); 25-CRB-0017-AU (Hope
Media Group); 25-CRB-0018-AU (Pandora Media, LLC); 25-CRB-0019-AU (Saga
Communications, Inc.); 25-CRB-0020-AU (SomaFM.com, LLC); 25-CRB-0021-AU
(Townsquare Media); 25-CRB-0022-AU (Z Ministries, Inc.); 25-CRB-0023-AU
(Mood Media); 25-CRB-0024-AU (Music Choice); and 25-CRB-0025-AU
(SiriusXM)]
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 notices of intent to audit the 2022, 2023, and
2024 statements of account submitted by licensees under section 112
and/or 114 of title 17 Cox Media Group (eCRB No. 77868), Hope Media
Group (eCRB No. 77869), Pandora Media LLC (eCRB No. 77870), Saga
Communications Inc. (eCRB No. 77871), SomaFM.com, LLC (eCRB No. 77872),
Townsquare Media (eCRB No. 77873), Z Ministries, Inc. (eCRB No. 77874),
Mood Media (eCRB No. 77875), Music Choice (eCRB No. 77876), and
SiriusXM (eCRB No. 77877).
ADDRESSES: Dockets: For access to the dockets to read background
documents, go to eCRB at https://app.crb.gov and perform a case search
for each corresponding docket number.
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 certain exemptions
as well 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 certain services 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 and noncommercial 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 12, 2025, SoundExchange filed with the Judges notices
of intent to audit the statements of account submitted by licensees Cox
Media Group, Hope Media Group, Pandora Media LLC, Saga Communications
Inc., SomaFM.com,LLC, Townsquare Media, Z Ministries, Inc., Mood Media,
Music Choice, and SiriusXM for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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.
Dated: December 19, 2025.
Steve Ruwe,
Copyright Royalty Judge.
[FR Doc. 2025-23756 Filed 12-22-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1410-72-P