CRB Seeks Comment on NMPA's Partial Settlement of 2018-2022 Mechanical Royalty Rates

The Copyright Royalty Board released the National Music Publishers Association-brokered partial settlement on 2018-2022 statutory mechanical royalty rates, saying in a notice in the Federal Register it's seeking comment on the settlement through Aug. 24. The settlement, agreed to by Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, would maintain the existing mechanical rate for downloaded songs at 9.1 cents per downloaded copy for songs less than five minutes long and 1.75 cents-per-minute for songs more than five minutes long. The settlement also would maintain existing mechanical rate for ring tones at 24 cents per copy. Apple separately proposed maintaining the existing mechanical rates for downloaded songs but proposed changing the rate for interactive streams to 9.1 cents per 100 plays (see 1607180067). The CRB judges are seeking comment on whether to adopt the proposed mechanical rates and whether to apply them to all copyright owners and licensees.