Copyright Royalty Board Issues NPRM on Rule Changes for Planned E-Filing System

The Copyright Royalty Board sought comment Wednesday on an NPRM that would amend the rules for filing documents with the board to allow for the planned launch of CRB's new e-filing system. The CRB said last month the Library of Congress plans to complete work on the e-filing system by spring and would launch the system later in the year. E-filing of CRB documents will eventually become mandatory (see 1610170055). The NPRM would in part establish that CRB filings would be timely only if submitted electronically by 11:59:59 p.m. ET on the due date, CRB said in a Federal Register notice. Filers would need to obtain a password to use the CRB system, with the password constituting a signature, CRB said. The board said it plans to further amend its rules later to reflect the e-filing system in provisions governing filing claims to royalty fees collected under compulsory licenses. Comments on the NPRM are due Dec. 23.