Title 17 — CopyrightsRelease 119-73
§803 Proceedings of Copyright Royalty Judges
Title 17 › Chapter CHAPTER 8— - PROCEEDINGS BY COPYRIGHT ROYALTY JUDGES › § 803
Summary
Copyright Royalty Judges must run hearings and set royalty rules and distributions under the law. They must follow the Title and, when it fits, the general government rules in chapter 5 of Title 5. Their own regulations must be approved by the Librarian of Congress. Not later than 120 days after the first judges are appointed after the 2004 Act, the judges must issue regulations to govern proceedings. The judges hear cases en banc (all judges together), but the Chief Judge can let one judge handle some administrative or collateral matters. Decisions are by majority vote, and any judge who disagrees may write a dissent. When a proceeding starts, the judges publish notice in the Federal Register by the deadlines set in section 804 (including by January 5 where required and promptly after an 804(a) determination; an exception applied for some 2005 section 111 proceedings). Petitions to join must be filed within 30 days of that notice, though late petitions may be accepted up to 90 days before written direct statements are due. Late filers cannot object to a settlement reached during the voluntary negotiation period. Each petition must describe the filer’s interest. To participate, a petitioner must not be facially invalid, must have a significant interest, and must pay a $150 filing fee for rate proceedings. For distribution proceedings a petitioner must pay $150 or state they will not seek more than $1,000 (in which case they can receive at most $1,000). After petitions close, the judges list participants and start a 3‑month voluntary negotiation period. Written direct statements are filed 4 to 5 months after that negotiation period ends. Discovery tied to those statements is normally 60 days, with a possible 15‑day window to amend direct statements after discovery. Rules allow hearsay, subpoenas when necessary, limits of 10 depositions and 25 interrogatories per side in rate cases, and a 21‑day settlement conference after the 60‑day discovery period. Judges may decide some matters on paper when there is no real factual dispute. Final determinations must be issued not later than 11 months after the 21‑day settlement conference, except that for proceedings setting successor rates that expire on a set date a decision must be made no later than 15 days before that expiration. Rehearings can be requested within 15 days after the initial decision. While rehearings or appeals are pending, parties must still file reports of use and pay royalties. If payments exceed or fall short of the final result, the designated payee must return excesses or receive underpayments within 60 days after the rehearing or appeal ends. Judges can correct clerical errors or change terms (but not rates) if needed, and they may protect confidential information while keeping rates and terms public. By the end of the 60‑day period in section 802(f)(1)(D), the Librarian must publish the determination and make the record available. An aggrieved participant who fully participated and who would be bound by the decision may appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit within 30 days of Federal Register publication. The court may modify or replace the judges’ decision, order repayments, and award interest. The Librarian may deduct reasonable proceeding costs from filing fees (but not judges’ or certain staff salaries), and Congress may appropriate funds to cover remaining costs. Section 307 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1994 does not apply to Library positions needed to carry out certain sections listed in the statute.
Full Legal Text
Title 17, §803
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(a)(1)The Copyright Royalty Judges shall act in accordance with this title, and to the extent not inconsistent with this title, in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, in carrying out the purposes set forth in section 801. The Copyright Royalty Judges shall act in accordance with regulations issued by the Copyright Royalty Judges and the Librarian of Congress, and on the basis of a written record, prior determinations and interpretations of the Copyright Royalty Tribunal, Librarian of Congress, the Register of Copyrights, copyright arbitration royalty panels (to the extent those determinations are not inconsistent with a decision of the Librarian of Congress or the Register of Copyrights), and the Copyright Royalty Judges (to the extent those determinations are not inconsistent with a decision of the Register of Copyrights that was timely delivered to the Copyright Royalty Judges pursuant to section 802(f)(1)(A) or (B), or with a decision of the Register of Copyrights pursuant to section 802(f)(1)(D)), under this chapter, and decisions of the court of appeals under this chapter before, on, or after the effective date of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004.
(2)The Copyright Royalty Judges shall preside over hearings in proceedings under this chapter en banc. The Chief Copyright Royalty Judge may designate a Copyright Royalty Judge to preside individually over such collateral and administrative proceedings, and over such proceedings under paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b), as the Chief Judge considers appropriate.
(3)Final determinations of the Copyright Royalty Judges in proceedings under this chapter shall be made by majority vote. A Copyright Royalty Judge dissenting from the majority on any determination under this chapter may issue his or her dissenting opinion, which shall be included with the determination.
(b)(1)(A)(i)The Copyright Royalty Judges shall cause to be published in the Federal Register notice of commencement of proceedings under this chapter, calling for the filing of petitions to participate in a proceeding under this chapter for the purpose of making the relevant determination under section 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 1004, or 1007, as the case may be—
(I)promptly upon a determination made under section 804(a);
(II)by no later than January 5 of a year specified in paragraph (2) of section 804(b) for the commencement of proceedings;
(III)by no later than January 5 of a year specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3) of section 804(b) for the commencement of proceedings, or as otherwise provided in subparagraph (A) or (C) of such paragraph for the commencement of proceedings;
(IV)as provided under section 804(b)(8); or
(V)by no later than January 5 of a year specified in any other provision of section 804(b) for the filing of petitions for the commencement of proceedings, if a petition has not been filed by that date, except that the publication of notice requirement shall not apply in the case of proceedings under section 111 that are scheduled to commence in 2005.
(ii)Petitions to participate shall be filed by no later than 30 days after publication of notice of commencement of a proceeding under clause (i), except that the Copyright Royalty Judges may, for substantial good cause shown and if there is no prejudice to the participants that have already filed petitions, accept late petitions to participate at any time up to the date that is 90 days before the date on which participants in the proceeding are to file their written direct statements. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, petitioners whose petitions are filed more than 30 days after publication of notice of commencement of a proceeding are not eligible to object to a settlement reached during the voluntary negotiation period under paragraph (3), and any objection filed by such a petitioner shall not be taken into account by the Copyright Royalty Judges.
(B)Each petition to participate in a proceeding shall describe the petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding. Parties with similar interests may file a single petition to participate.
(2)Subject to paragraph (4), a person may participate in a proceeding under this chapter, including through the submission of briefs or other information, only if—
(A)that person has filed a petition to participate in accordance with paragraph (1) (either individually or as a group under paragraph (1)(B));
(B)the Copyright Royalty Judges have not determined that the petition to participate is facially invalid;
(C)the Copyright Royalty Judges have not determined, sua sponte or on the motion of another participant in the proceeding, that the person lacks a significant interest in the proceeding; and
(D)the petition to participate is accompanied by either—
(i)in a proceeding to determine royalty rates, a filing fee of $150; or
(ii)in a proceeding to determine distribution of royalty fees—
(I)a filing fee of $150; or
(II)a statement that the petitioner (individually or as a group) will not seek a distribution of more than $1000, in which case the amount distributed to the petitioner shall not exceed $1000.
(3)(A)(i)Promptly after the date for filing of petitions to participate in a proceeding, the Copyright Royalty Judges shall make available to all participants in the proceeding a list of such participants and shall initiate a voluntary negotiation period among the participants.
(ii)Promptly after the date for filing of petitions to participate in a proceeding to determine the distribution of royalties, the Copyright Royalty Judges shall make available to all participants in the proceeding a list of such participants. The initiation of a voluntary negotiation period among the participants shall be set at a time determined by the Copyright Royalty Judges.
(B)The voluntary negotiation period initiated under subparagraph (A) shall be 3 months.
(C)At the close of the voluntary negotiation proceedings, the Copyright Royalty Judges shall, if further proceedings under this chapter are necessary, determine whether and to what extent paragraphs (4) and (5) will apply to the parties.
(4)(A)If, in a proceeding under this chapter to determine the distribution of royalties, the contested amount of a claim is $10,000 or less, the Copyright Royalty Judges shall decide the controversy on the basis of the filing of the written direct statement by the participant, the response by any opposing participant, and 1 additional response by each such party.
(B)If the Copyright Royalty Judges determine that a participant asserts in bad faith an amount in controversy in excess of $10,000 for the purpose of avoiding a determination under the procedure set forth in subparagraph (A), the Copyright Royalty Judges shall impose a fine on that participant in an amount not to exceed the difference between the actual amount distributed and the amount asserted by the participant.
(5)The Copyright Royalty Judges in proceedings under this chapter may decide, sua sponte or upon motion of a participant, to determine issues on the basis of the filing of the written direct statement by the participant, the response by any opposing participant, and one additional response by each such participant. Prior to making such decision to proceed on such a paper record only, the Copyright Royalty Judges shall offer to all parties to the proceeding the opportunity to comment on the decision. The procedure under this paragraph—
(A)shall be applied in cases in which there is no genuine issue of material fact, there is no need for evidentiary hearings, and all participants in the proceeding agree in writing to the procedure; and
(B)may be applied under such other circumstances as the Copyright Royalty Judges consider appropriate.
(6)(A)The Copyright Royalty Judges may issue regulations to carry out their functions under this title. All regulations issued by the Copyright Royalty Judges are subject to the approval of the Librarian of Congress and are subject to judicial review pursuant to chapter 7 of title 5, except as set forth in subsection (d). Not later than 120 days after Copyright Royalty Judges or interim Copyright Royalty Judges, as the case may be, are first appointed after the enactment of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004, such judges shall issue regulations to govern proceedings under this chapter.
(B)Until regulations are adopted under subparagraph (A), the Copyright Royalty Judges shall apply the regulations in effect under this chapter on the day before the effective date of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004, to the extent such regulations are not inconsistent with this chapter, except that functions carried out under such regulations by the Librarian of Congress, the Register of Copyrights, or copyright arbitration royalty panels that, as of such date of enactment, are to be carried out by the Copyright Royalty Judges under this chapter, shall be carried out by the Copyright Royalty Judges under such regulations.
(C)Regulations issued under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i)The written direct statements and written rebuttal statements of all participants in a proceeding under paragraph (2) shall be filed by a date specified by the Copyright Royalty Judges, which, in the case of written direct statements, may be not earlier than 4 months, and not later than 5 months, after the end of the voluntary negotiation period under paragraph (3). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Copyright Royalty Judges may allow a participant in a proceeding to file an amended written direct statement based on new information received during the discovery process, within 15 days after the end of the discovery period specified in clause (iv).
(ii)(I)Following the submission to the Copyright Royalty Judges of written direct statements and written rebuttal statements by the participants in a proceeding under paragraph (2), the Copyright Royalty Judges, after taking into consideration the views of the participants in the proceeding, shall determine a schedule for conducting and completing discovery.
(II)In this chapter, the term “written direct statements” means witness statements, testimony, and exhibits to be presented in the proceedings, and such other information that is necessary to establish terms and rates, or the distribution of royalty payments, as the case may be, as set forth in regulations issued by the Copyright Royalty Judges.
(iii)Hearsay may be admitted in proceedings under this chapter to the extent deemed appropriate by the Copyright Royalty Judges.
(iv)Discovery in connection with written direct statements shall be permitted for a period of 60 days, except for discovery ordered by the Copyright Royalty Judges in connection with the resolution of motions, orders, and disputes pending at the end of such period. The Copyright Royalty Judges may order a discovery schedule in connection with written rebuttal statements.
(v)Any participant under paragraph (2) in a proceeding under this chapter to determine royalty rates may request of an opposing participant nonprivileged documents directly related to the written direct statement or written rebuttal statement of that participant. Any objection to such a request shall be resolved by a motion or request to compel production made to the Copyright Royalty Judges in accordance with regulations adopted by the Copyright Royalty Judges. Each motion or request to compel discovery shall be determined by the Copyright Royalty Judges, or by a Copyright Royalty Judge when permitted under subsection (a)(2). Upon such motion, the Copyright Royalty Judges may order discovery pursuant to regulations established under this paragraph.
(vi)(I)Any participant under paragraph (2) in a proceeding under this chapter to determine royalty rates may, by means of written motion or on the record, request of an opposing participant or witness other relevant information and materials if, absent the discovery sought, the Copyright Royalty Judges’ resolution of the proceeding would be substantially impaired. In determining whether discovery will be granted under this clause, the Copyright Royalty Judges may consider—
(aa)whether the burden or expense of producing the requested information or materials outweighs the likely benefit, taking into account the needs and resources of the participants, the importance of the issues at stake, and the probative value of the requested information or materials in resolving such issues;
(bb)whether the requested information or materials would be unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, or are obtainable from another source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive; and
(cc)whether the participant seeking discovery has had ample opportunity by discovery in the proceeding or by other means to obtain the information sought.
(II)This clause shall not apply to any proceeding scheduled to commence after December 31, 2010.
(vii)In a proceeding under this chapter to determine royalty rates, the participants entitled to receive royalties shall collectively be permitted to take no more than 10 depositions and secure responses to no more than 25 interrogatories, and the participants obligated to pay royalties shall collectively be permitted to take no more than 10 depositions and secure responses to no more than 25 interrogatories. The Copyright Royalty Judges shall resolve any disputes among similarly aligned participants to allocate the number of depositions or interrogatories permitted under this clause.
(viii)The rules and practices in effect on the day before the effective date of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004, relating to discovery in proceedings under this chapter to determine the distribution of royalty fees, shall continue to apply to such proceedings on and after such effective date.
(ix)In proceedings to determine royalty rates, the Copyright Royalty Judges may issue a subpoena commanding a participant or witness to appear and give testimony, or to produce and permit inspection of documents or tangible things, if the Copyright Royalty Judges’ resolution of the proceeding would be substantially impaired by the absence of such testimony or production of documents or tangible things. Such subpoena shall specify with reasonable particularity the materials to be produced or the scope and nature of the required testimony. Nothing in this clause shall preclude the Copyright Royalty Judges from requesting the production by a nonparticipant of information or materials relevant to the resolution by the Copyright Royalty Judges of a material issue of fact.
(x)The Copyright Royalty Judges shall order a settlement conference among the participants in the proceeding to facilitate the presentation of offers of settlement among the participants. The settlement conference shall be held during a 21-day period following the 60-day discovery period specified in clause (iv) and shall take place outside the presence of the Copyright Royalty Judges.
(xi)No evidence, including exhibits, may be submitted in the written direct statement or written rebuttal statement of a participant without a sponsoring witness, except where the Copyright Royalty Judges have taken official notice, or in the case of incorporation by reference of past records, or for good cause shown.
(c)(1)The Copyright Royalty Judges shall issue their determination in a proceeding not later than 11 months after the conclusion of the 21-day settlement conference period under subsection (b)(6)(C)(x), but, in the case of a proceeding to determine successors to rates or terms that expire on a specified date, in no event later than 15 days before the expiration of the then current statutory rates and terms.
(2)(A)The Copyright Royalty Judges may, in exceptional cases, upon motion of a participant in a proceeding under subsection (b)(2), order a rehearing, after the determination in the proceeding is issued under paragraph (1), on such matters as the Copyright Royalty Judges determine to be appropriate.
(B)Any motion for a rehearing under subparagraph (A) may only be filed within 15 days after the date on which the Copyright Royalty Judges deliver to the participants in the proceeding their initial determination.
(C)In any case in which a rehearing is ordered, any opposing party shall not be required to participate in the rehearing, except that nonparticipation may give rise to the limitations with respect to judicial review provided for in subsection (d)(1).
(D)No negative inference shall be drawn from lack of participation in a rehearing.
(E)(i)If the decision of the Copyright Royalty Judges on any motion for a rehearing is not rendered before the expiration of the statutory rates and terms that were previously in effect, in the case of a proceeding to determine successors to rates and terms that expire on a specified date, then—
(I)the initial determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges that is the subject of the rehearing motion shall be effective as of the day following the date on which the rates and terms that were previously in effect expire; and
(II)in the case of a proceeding under section 114(f)(1)(C), royalty rates and terms shall, for purposes of section 114(f)(3)(B), be deemed to have been set at those rates and terms contained in the initial determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges that is the subject of the rehearing motion, as of the date of that determination.
(ii)The pendency of a motion for a rehearing under this paragraph shall not relieve persons obligated to make royalty payments who would be affected by the determination on that motion from providing the statements of account and any reports of use, to the extent required, and paying the royalties required under the relevant determination or regulations.
(iii)Notwithstanding clause (ii), whenever royalties described in clause (ii) are paid to a person other than the Copyright Office, the entity designated by the Copyright Royalty Judges to which such royalties are paid by the copyright user (and any successor thereto) shall, within 60 days after the motion for rehearing is resolved or, if the motion is granted, within 60 days after the rehearing is concluded, return any excess amounts previously paid to the extent necessary to comply with the final determination of royalty rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges. Any underpayment of royalties resulting from a rehearing shall be paid within the same period.
(3)A determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges shall be supported by the written record and shall set forth the findings of fact relied on by the Copyright Royalty Judges. Among other terms adopted in a determination, the Copyright Royalty Judges may specify notice and recordkeeping requirements of users of the copyrights at issue that apply in lieu of those that would otherwise apply under regulations.
(4)The Copyright Royalty Judges may issue an amendment to a written determination to correct any technical or clerical errors in the determination or to modify the terms, but not the rates, of royalty payments in response to unforeseen circumstances that would frustrate the proper implementation of such determination. Such amendment shall be set forth in a written addendum to the determination that shall be distributed to the participants of the proceeding and shall be published in the Federal Register.
(5)The Copyright Royalty Judges may issue such orders as may be appropriate to protect confidential information, including orders excluding confidential information from the record of the determination that is published or made available to the public, except that any terms or rates of royalty payments or distributions may not be excluded.
(6)By no later than the end of the 60-day period provided in section 802(f)(1)(D), the Librarian of Congress shall cause the determination, and any corrections thereto, to be published in the Federal Register. The Librarian of Congress shall also publicize the determination and corrections in such other manner as the Librarian considers appropriate, including, but not limited to, publication on the Internet. The Librarian of Congress shall also make the determination, corrections, and the accompanying record available for public inspection and copying.
(7)A determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges may include terms with respect to late payment, but in no way shall such terms prevent the copyright holder from asserting other rights or remedies provided under this title.
(d)(1)Any determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges under subsection (c) may, within 30 days after the publication of the determination in the Federal Register, be appealed, to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, by any aggrieved participant in the proceeding under subsection (b)(2) who fully participated in the proceeding and who would be bound by the determination. Any participant that did not participate in a rehearing may not raise any issue that was the subject of that rehearing at any stage of judicial review of the hearing determination. If no appeal is brought within that 30-day period, the determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges shall be final, and the royalty fee or determination with respect to the distribution of fees, as the case may be, shall take effect as set forth in paragraph (2).
(2)(A)When this title provides that the royalty rates and terms that were previously in effect are to expire on a specified date, any adjustment or determination by the Copyright Royalty Judges of successor rates and terms for an ensuing statutory license period shall be effective as of the day following the date of expiration of the rates and terms that were previously in effect, even if the determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges is rendered on a later date. A licensee shall be obligated to continue making payments under the rates and terms previously in effect until such time as rates and terms for the successor period are established. Whenever royalties pursuant to this section are paid to a person other than the Copyright Office, the entity designated by the Copyright Royalty Judges to which such royalties are paid by the copyright user (and any successor thereto) shall, within 60 days after the final determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges establishing rates and terms for a successor period or the exhaustion of all rehearings or appeals of such determination, if any, return any excess amounts previously paid to the extent necessary to comply with the final determination of royalty rates. Any underpayment of royalties by a copyright user shall be paid to the entity designated by the Copyright Royalty Judges within the same period.
(B)In cases where rates and terms have not, prior to the inception of an activity, been established for that particular activity under the relevant license, such rates and terms shall be retroactive to the inception of activity under the relevant license covered by such rates and terms. In other cases where rates and terms do not expire on a specified date, successor rates and terms shall take effect on the first day of the second month that begins after the publication of the determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges in the Federal Register, except as otherwise provided in this title, or by the Copyright Royalty Judges, or as agreed by the participants in a proceeding that would be bound by the rates and terms. Except as otherwise provided in this title, the rates and terms, to the extent applicable, shall remain in effect until such successor rates and terms become effective.
(C)(i)The pendency of an appeal under this subsection shall not relieve persons obligated to make royalty payments under section 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, or 1003, who would be affected by the determination on appeal, from—
(I)providing the applicable statements of account and reports of use; and
(II)paying the royalties required under the relevant determination or regulations.
(ii)Notwithstanding clause (i), whenever royalties described in clause (i) are paid to a person other than the Copyright Office, the entity designated by the Copyright Royalty Judges to which such royalties are paid by the copyright user (and any successor thereto) shall, within 60 days after the final resolution of the appeal, return any excess amounts previously paid (and interest thereon, if ordered pursuant to paragraph (3)) to the extent necessary to comply with the final determination of royalty rates on appeal. Any underpayment of royalties resulting from an appeal (and interest thereon, if ordered pursuant to paragraph (3)) shall be paid within the same period.
(3)Section 706 of title 5 shall apply with respect to review by the court of appeals under this subsection. If the court modifies or vacates a determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges, the court may enter its own determination with respect to the amount or distribution of royalty fees and costs, and order the repayment of any excess fees, the payment of any underpaid fees, and the payment of interest pertaining respectively thereto, in accordance with its final judgment. The court may also vacate the determination of the Copyright Royalty Judges and remand the case to the Copyright Royalty Judges for further proceedings in accordance with subsection (a).
(e)(1)(A)The Librarian of Congress may, to the extent not otherwise provided under this title, deduct from the filing fees collected under subsection (b) for a particular proceeding under this chapter the reasonable costs incurred by the Librarian of Congress, the Copyright Office, and the Copyright Royalty Judges in conducting that proceeding, other than the salaries of the Copyright Royalty Judges and the staff members appointed under section 802(b).
(B)There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to pay the costs incurred under this chapter not covered by the filing fees collected under subsection (b). All funds made available pursuant to this subparagraph shall remain available until expended.
(2)section 307 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1994, shall not apply to employee positions in the Library of Congress that are required to be filled in order to carry out section 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 118, or 119 or chapter 10.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The
Effective Date
of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(6)(B), (C)(viii), is the
Effective Date
of Pub. L. 108–419, which is 6 months after Nov. 30, 2004, subject to transition provisions, see section 6 of Pub. L. 108–419, set out as an
Effective Date
Transition Provisions note under section 801 of this title. The enactment of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004 and such date of enactment, referred to in subsec. (b)(6)(A), (B), probably mean the date of enactment of Pub. L. 108–419, which was approved Nov. 30, 2004. section 307 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1994, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is section 307 of Pub. L. 103–69, which was formerly set out as a note under section 60–1 of Title 2, The Congress.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 803, Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2597, § 804; Pub. L. 100–568, § 11(2), Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2860; Pub. L. 100–667, title II, § 202(5), Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3958; Pub. L. 101–318, § 3(c), July 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 288; Pub. L. 102–563, § 3(a)(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4248; renumbered § 803 and amended Pub. L. 103–198, § 2(d), Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 2307; Pub. L. 104–39, § 5(d)(5)–(7), Nov. 1, 1995, 109 Stat. 349; Pub. L. 105–80, § 12(a)(20), Nov. 13, 1997, 111 Stat. 1535; Pub. L. 105–304, title IV, § 405(e)(5), (6), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2902, related to institution and conclusion of proceedings of copyright arbitration royalty panels, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 108–419. Another prior section 803, Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2596, related to procedures of the Copyright Royalty Tribunal, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–198, § 2(c), Dec. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 2307.
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–94 struck out “3” before “staff members”. 2018—Subsec. (c)(2)(E)(i)(II). Pub. L. 115–264 struck out “or 114(f)(2)(C)” after “under section 114(f)(1)(C)” and substituted “114(f)(3)(B)” for “114(f)(4)(B)”. 2010—Subsec. (b)(6)(A). Pub. L. 111–295 substituted “All
Regulations
issued by the Copyright Royalty Judges are subject to the approval of the Librarian of Congress and are subject to judicial review pursuant to chapter 7 of title 5, except as set forth in subsection (d).” for “All
Regulations
issued by the Copyright Royalty Judges are subject to the approval of the Librarian of Congress.” 2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(5), substituted “The Copyright Royalty Judges shall act in accordance with this title, and to the extent not inconsistent with this title, in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, in carrying out the purposes set forth in section 801. The Copyright” for “The Copyright” and inserted “copyright arbitration royalty panels (to the extent those determinations are not inconsistent with a decision of the Librarian of Congress or the Register of Copyrights),” after “Congress, the Register of Copyrights,”. Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(i)(V). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(A), substituted “the publication of notice requirement shall not apply in the case of” for “in the case of” and struck out “, such notice may not be published.” at end. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(B), struck out “, together with a filing fee of $150” before semicolon at end of subpar. (A) and added subpar. (D). Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(C), substituted “Commencement of proceedings” for “In general” in heading, designated existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted cl. (i) heading, and added cl. (ii). Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(D), struck out last sentence which read as follows: “The participant asserting the claim shall not be required to pay the filing fee under paragraph (2).” Subsec. (b)(6)(C)(i). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(E)(i), inserted “and written rebuttal statements” after “written direct statements” and substituted “which, in the case of written direct statements, may” for “which may” and “clause (iv)” for “clause (iii)”. Subsec. (b)(6)(C)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(E)(ii), amended subcl. (I) generally. Prior to amendment, subcl. (I) read as follows: “Following the submission to the Copyright Royalty Judges of written direct statements by the participants in a proceeding under paragraph (2), the judges shall meet with the participants for the purpose of setting a schedule for conducting and completing discovery. Such schedule shall be determined by the Copyright Royalty Judges.” Subsec. (b)(6)(C)(iv). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(E)(iii), amended cl. (iv) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (iv) read as follows: “Discovery in such proceedings shall be permitted for a period of 60 days, except for discovery ordered by the Copyright Royalty Judges in connection with the resolution of motions, orders, and disputes pending at the end of such period.” Subsec. (b)(6)(C)(x). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(6)(E)(iv), amended cl. (x) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (x) read as follows: “The Copyright Royalty Judges shall order a settlement conference among the participants in the proceeding to facilitate the presentation of offers of settlement among the participants. The settlement conference shall be held during a 21-day period following the end of the discovery period and shall take place outside the presence of the Copyright Royalty Judges.” Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(7), struck out “concerning rates and terms” before period at end. Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(8), struck out “, with the approval of the Register of Copyrights,” before “issue an amendment”. Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(9), substituted “of the Copyright” for “of Copyright”. Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(i)(I). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(10), substituted “applicable statements of account and reports of use” for “statements of account and any report of use”. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 109–303, § 3(11), substituted “Section 706 of title 5 shall apply with respect to review by the court of appeals under this subsection. If the court modifies” for “If the court, pursuant to section 706 of title 5, modifies”. 2004—Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(i)(V). Pub. L. 108–447 inserted “, except that in the case of proceedings under section 111 that are scheduled to commence in 2005, such notice may not be published.” before period at end.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2019 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 116–94 effective with respect to fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, see section 1405(b) of Pub. L. 116–94, set out as a note under section 802 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2006 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 109–303 effective as if included in the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108–419, see section 6 of Pub. L. 109–303, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
17 U.S.C. § 803
Title 17 — Copyrights
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73