00-30513. Cost of Living Adjustment for Performance of Musical Compositions by Colleges and Universities

AGENCY:

Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress announces a cost of living adjustment of 3.4% in the royalty rates paid by colleges, universities, or other nonprofit educational institutions that are not affiliated with National Public Radio for the use of copyrighted published nondramatic musical compositions. The cost of living adjustment is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index from October, 1999, to October, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 1, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David O. Carson, General Counsel, or Tanya M. Sandros, Attorney Advisor, at Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, P.O. Box 70977, Southwest Station, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: [phone]. Telefax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 118 of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C., creates a compulsory license for the use of published nondramatic musical works and published pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works in connection with noncommercial broadcasting. Terms and rates for this compulsory license, applicable to parties who are not subject to privately negotiated licenses, are published in 37 CFR part 253 and are subject to adjustment at five-year intervals. 17 U.S.C. 118(c). The last proceeding to adjust the terms and rates for the section 118 license began in 1996. 61 FR 54458 (October 18, 1996).

On January 14, 1998, the Copyright Office announced final regulations governing the terms and rates of copyright royalty payments with respect to certain uses by public broadcasting entities of published nondramatic musical works, and published pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, including the 1998 rates for the public performance of musical compositions in the ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC repertories by public broadcasting entities licensed to colleges and universities. 63 FR 2142 (January 14, 1998).

Pursuant to these regulations, on December 1 of each year “the Librarian of Congress shall publish a notice of the change in the cost of living during the period from the most recent Index published prior to the previous notice, to the most recent Index published prior to December 1, of that year.” 37 CFR 253.10(a). The regulations also require that the Librarian publish a revised schedule of rates for the public performance of musical compositions in the ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC repertories by public broadcasting entities licensed to colleges and universities, reflecting the change in the Consumer Price Index. 37 CFR 253.10(b).

Accordingly, the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is hereby announcing the change in the Consumer Price Index and performing the annual cost of living adjustment to the rates set out in § 253.5(c). 63 FR 2142 (January 14, 1998).

The change in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index (all consumers, all items) during the period from the most recent Index published before December 1, 1999, to the most recent Index published before December 1, 2000, is 3.4% (1999's figure was 168.2; the figure for 2000 is 174.0, based on 1982-1984=100 as a reference base). Rounding off to the nearest dollar, the adjustment in the royalty rate for the use of musical compositions in the repertory of ASCAP and BMI is $239, each, and $65 for the use of musical compositions in the repertory of SESAC.

List of Subjects in 37 CFR Part 253

• Copyright
• Radio
• Television

Final Regulation

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 253 of title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 253—USE OF CERTAIN COPYRIGHTED WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH NONCOMMERCIAL EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTING

1. The authority citation for part 253 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 17 U.S.C. 118, 801(b)(1) and 803.

2. 37 CFR 253.5 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3).

§ 253.5

Performance of musical compositions by public broadcasting entities licensed to colleges and universities.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(1) For all such compositions in the repertory of ASCAP, $239 annually.

(2) For all such compositions in the repertory of BMI, $239 annually.

(3) For all such compositions in the repertory of SESAC, $65 annually.

* * * * *

Dated: November 21, 2000.

Marybeth Peters,

Register of Copyrights.