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Pondering Updates To Copyright Law In Digital Era

By Andrew Ramonas
April 02, 2014

With Congress considering copyright reform and digital streaming upending the music business, the U.S. Copyright Office has announced it is studying the effectiveness of the music-licensing system. In an effort to assist Congress, the Copyright Office said it is looking for public input on Copyright Act of 1976 provisions that established government-regulated music-licensing regimes.

Specifically, the agency is curious about the public's views on the Copyright Royalty Board's royalty rate setting and the licensing processes for musical works and sound recordings, among other issues. The agency is accepting comments until May 16.

“While the Copyright Act reflects many sound and enduring principles, and has enabled the Internet to flourish, Congress could not have foreseen all of today's technologies and the myriad ways consumers and others engage with creative works in the digital environment,” the Copyright Office said in a Federal Register notice. “Perhaps nowhere has the landscape been as significantly altered as in the realm of music.” See, “Music Licensing Study: Notice and Request for Public Comment.”'

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