OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM NSAI ON PROPOSED RULE FROM THE U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE (USCO)

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) applauds The U.S. Copyright Office (USCO) for addressing the issue of termination rights under the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s (MLC) blanket license. This is an issue NSAI has worked to resolve since the inception of the blanket license. NSAI brought this matter to the USCO’s attention and worked with other groups toward a solution. The proposed rule addresses perceived ambiguity in the law in a way that we believe is consistent with the original intent of Congress. NSAI intends to submit comments to the USCO encouraging the expeditious adoption of this proposed rule. Proposed rule included below

LINK: https://copyright.gov/newsnet/2022/983.html

U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Related to Termination Rights and the Music Modernization Act’s Statutory Mechanical Blanket License

Issue No. 983 - October 25, 2022

The Copyright Office has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the applicability of the Copyright Act’s derivative works exception to termination rights in the context of the mechanical blanket license established by the Music Modernization Act (MMA). The proposed rule also addresses the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s (MLC’s) “Notice and Dispute Policy: Statutory Terminations,” which established policies related to disputes involving a statutory termination.

The Office’s proposed rule aims to clarify the appropriate payee under the blanket license to whom the MLC must distribute royalties in connection with a statutory termination.

The notice of proposed rulemaking and instructions on how to submit comments are available here. Initial written comments must be received no later than November 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time. Written reply comments must be received no later than December 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.