Shutdown Causing Delayed Webcaster Music Rates Proceeding, Oxenford Says

A proceeding to determine rates webcasters pay for non-interactive public performance of sound recordings is being delayed by the partial federal shutdown, blogged Wilkinson Barker broadcast attorney David Oxenford Tuesday. Though the Copyright Royalty Board is operating, the Federal Register is accepting only vital notices such as those connected with public safety, Oxenford said. Since notice of the proceeding’s opening has to appear in the FR, it will be delayed, Oxenford said. When the proceeding starts, it’s likely to involve broadcasters that stream their signals, small commercial webcasters and noncommercial webcasters, but it’s not clear if interactive streaming services like Pandora will be involved, Oxenford said. “Will they participate in the upcoming case, or have they negotiated direct deals that cover their more traditional webcasting services along with their interactive services?"