Broadcast Lawyer Hails CRB Reinstatement of Eligibility for Streaming Reporting Relief

Copyright Royalty Board official reinstatement of rules easing requirements for noncommercial broadcasters and commercial broadcasters to report streamed sound recordings to SoundExchange for royalty purposes came “as music to the ears of those noncommercial broadcasters,” said Fletcher Heald copyright and music licensing lawyer Karyn Ablin in a blog post Tuesday, the day the board's notice came. It reinstated previously allowed reporting relief requirements, which take effect when an eligible broadcaster pays no more than the $500 minimum annual royalty (see 1612130043). The CRB inadvertently rescinded the rule in a June technical amendment (see 1608100020). “Our prediction that there would not be ‘any fierce or widespread opposition to the Judges’ proposed amendment’ proved accurate,” said Ablin, who proposed the rule’s reinstatement on behalf of the NAB and the National Religious Broadcasters Noncommercial Music License Committee. “Judges received only three sets of comments,” which didn’t affect reinstatement, she wrote. “It’s hard to argue that noncommercial broadcasters should be treated more harshly under the reporting rules than commercial broadcasters,” Ablin said. “We are glad to see that the Judges have amended their rules in a way that more accurately reflects this commonsense principle.”