Issue 295 -September 27, 2006

HR 1036 Passes House; Goes to President for Signature

On September 25, 2006, the House of Representatives agreed to a Senate amendment to HR 1036, the “Copyright Royalty Judges Program Technical Corrections Act,” thus clearing the bill for the President's signature. Among other provisions, the Act provides that the Copyright Royalty Judges are subject to the Administrative Procedure Act; that they must consider certain Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel determinations and interpretations among precedents; that they allow certain petitioners to participate in a proceeding without a filing fee; that they may make a partial distribution of cable and satellite royalty fees after the filing of claims for distribution of such fees; and that they may issue an amendment to a written determination concerning technical and clerical errors and to modify terms under certain conditions. The Act is effective as if it were included in the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004, except that the provision for partial distribution of royalty fees is effective upon enactment. (Read further information.)