99-32906. Satellite Carrier Statutory License; Definition of Unserved Household

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 71086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32906]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Copyright Office

37 CFR Part 201

[Docket No. RM 98-1A]


Satellite Carrier Statutory License; Definition of Unserved 
Household

AGENCY: Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Notice of termination.

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SUMMARY: The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is closing 
this rulemaking to determine whether local retransmissions are covered 
by the section 119 satellite statutory license because the matter has 
been resolved by passage of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act 
of 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David O. Carson, General Counsel, or 
William J. Roberts, Senior Attorney for Compulsory Licenses, P.O. Box 
70977, Southwest Station, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 707-
8380. Fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 26, 1998, by petition from 
EchoStar Communications Corporation (``EchoStar''), the Copyright 
Office opened this rulemaking proceeding to consider whether the 
section 19 satellite carrier statutory license was broad enough in 
scope to encompass satellite retransmission of television broadcast 
stations to subscribers who resided within the local markets of those 
stations. 63 FR 3685 (January 26, 1998). It was the second time in two 
years that the Copyright Office had been requested to consider whether 
section 119 covered local retransmissions.
    The passage of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999 
(``SHVIA'') has rendered this rulemaking proceeding moot. Congress has 
clarified that local retransmissions are not covered by the section 119 
license. Instead, they are covered by the new, royalty-free section 122 
license that is expressly limited to local retransmissions of 
television broadcast stations by satellite carriers.
    Because this rulemaking has been superseded by an Act of Congress, 
the Office is closing the above-captioned docket number and is 
terminating this proceeding.

    Dated: December 15, 1999.
Marybeth Peters,
Register of Copyrights.
[FR Doc. 99-32906 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1410-31-M