Issue 291 -August 10, 2006

Copyright Office Requests Comments on Reporting Practices of Cable Operators

The Copyright Office is seeking comment from the public on proposed changes to the reporting practices of cable operators that were requested by the Program Suppliers in their Petition for Rulemaking. Specifically, Program Suppliers request that the Copyright Office: a) require additional information to be reported on the cable operators' Statement of Accounts (SOAs), particularly information relating to gross receipts, service tiers, subscribers, headend locations, and cable communities; 2) provide regulatory clarification regarding the effect of cable operators' interest payments that accompany late-filed SOAs or amended SOAs; and 3) clarify the definition of the term cable “community” in its regulations to comport with the meaning of “cable system” as defined in section 111. (Read petition and the attachments.) (Read further information.)

Copyright Office Issues Final Rule on Electronic Payment of Royalties

The Copyright Office is publishing a final rule amending its rules governing the submission of royalty fees to the Copyright Office to require that such payments be made by electronic funds transfer. The rule is effective October 1, 2006. (Read further information.)