CRB Notices SoundExchange Audits, Motions for Redistribution of Cable, Satellite Royalties

The Copyright Royalty Board said Tuesday it received a notice from SoundExchange of its intent to audit SiriusXM's 2013-2015 royalty payment statements for its webcasting and digital satellite radio services. SoundExchange monitors royalty payments for Sirius and other services as part of its role in distributing royalties to copyright owners and performers under Copyright Act section 112 and 114 licenses, CRB said in a notice in the Federal Register. CRB said it also received a notice from SoundExchange about its intent to audit the 2013-2015 royalty payment statements submitted by broadcasters Cox Radio and Hubbard Broadcasting. The board separately sought comments on motions requesting partial distribution of 2010-2013 retransmission royalty payments from the cable and satellite royalty funds. MPAA, NAB, NPR, PBS and other claimants jointly agreed that the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Broadcast Music Inc., and the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers should receive 3.5 percent of the 2010-2013 royalties from the satellite fund. The performing rights organizations should also receive 3.5 percent of royalties from the cable fund for 2010-2011, and 3.55 percent of royalties for 2012-2013, claimants said. NPR should receive 0.16 percent of the 2010-2013 royalties from the cable fund, claimants said. Comments on both redistribution motions are due Feb. 22, CRB said.