U.S. Copyright Office: NewsNet http://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/ U.S Copyright Office alerts on hearings, deadlines for comments, new and proposed regulations, new publications, and other copyright-related subjects. Thu, 08 May 2008 19:01:53 GMT ListGarden Program 1.3.1 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Copyright Office Terminates Rulemaking Proceeding and Clarifies Regulatory Policy http://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/ After reviewing comments on issues associated with the definition of the term “cable system” under the Copyright Act as well as comments on a request to create subscriber groups for the purposes of eliminating the “phantom signal” phenomenon, the Copyright Office finds that it lacks the statutory authority to adopt rules sought by the cable industry because the proposed changes are inconsistent with the statutory rate structure. Copyright Office Publishes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Amend Current Regulations Governing Group Registrations http://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/2008/342.html The Copyright Office, in keeping with its plan to increase online registrations, is proposing to amend the current regulations governing group registrations, which allow the grouping of individual works on one application. Under the proposal, applicants who take advantage of the group registration option would be required to file their claims electronically. <br> <br>(5/6/08) Copyright Office Experiences Processing Delays http://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/2008/341.html The Copyright Office is modernizing its operations by moving from a paper-based to a Web-based processing environment. This change will allow the Office to better meet the needs of its customers through more online services and faster processing times. However, the transition has caused a temporary backlog of paper applications. The time lag for receiving a registration certificate is currently up to 8 months. The Office is working diligently to improve the processing time and apologizes for this inconvenience. <br> <br>(4/14/08) Copyright Office Publishes Royalty Rate Adjustments for Satellite Carriers Based on Changes in the Consumer Price Index http://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/2008/340.html Pursuant to Section 119(c) of the Copyright Act, the Copyright Office has amended its rules and adjusted royalty rates for the accounting period of January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. <br> <br>(3/17/08) Copyright Office Publishes Review of Copyright Royalty Judges’ Determination http://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/2008/339.html In accordance with the authority granted to the Register of Copyrights under 17 U.S.C. 802 (f)(1)(D), the Register has reviewed for legal error the determinations of the Copyright Royalty Judges setting rates and terms for the use of the sections 112 and 114 statutory licenses by New Subscription Services, Preexisting Subscription Services, and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services. <br> <br>(2/21/08)