[Federal Register: September 23, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 185)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49799-49800]
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
[Docket No. 95-1 CARP DD 92-94]

Distribution of DART Royalty Funds for 1992, 1993, and 1994

AGENCY: Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

ACTION: Notice of prehearing conference.

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SUMMARY: The Library of Congress issues this notice to inform the 
public that the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP) which shall 
determine the distribution of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 digital audio 
recording technology (DART) royalties in the Musical Works Funds has 
scheduled a prehearing conference with the participants to the 
proceeding. At this meeting, the participants shall consider proposals 
for paying the panel for their services and establish a schedule for 
the hearings.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The prehearing conference will be held on Friday, 
October 4, 1996, beginning at 10:00 a.m., in the CARP hearing room, 
Room LM-414, located on the fourth floor of the Library of Congress, 
James Madison Building, First Street and Independence Avenue, S.E., 
Washington, D.C.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tanya M. Sandros, CARP Specialist, 
Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, P.O.Box 70977, Southwest Station, 
Washington, D.C. 20024.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA) requires 
manufacturers and importers to pay royalties on digital audio recording 
devices and media that are distributed in the United States. Each year, 
interested copyright parties file claims with the Copyright Office 
during January and February for royalties collected the preceding 
calendar year under chapter 10 of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 
Subsequently, these funds are distributed to the claimants in two ways; 
either the claimants negotiate a settlement for a share of the 
royalties, or the Librarian of Congress convenes a CARP to determine 
the distribution of the funds.
    On August 8, 1996, the Librarian of Congress initiated the 180-day 
arbitration period for the distribution of the 1992-1994 DART 
royalties. 61 FR 39670 (July 30, 1996). The regulations governing the 
administration of the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels requires 
that all meetings of the panels be open to the public, and that the 
schedule for the proceeding shall be published in the Federal Register 
at least seven calendar days in advance of the first meeting. 37 CFR 
251.11(a)(b). This notice announces the time, date, and place of the 
first meeting. The arbitrators, however, have not set the schedule for 
the presentation of the parties' cases at this time. Therefore, the 
Library will publish the original schedule for this proceeding as soon 
as it becomes available, as required by 37 CFR 251.11(b). Any changes 
to the original schedule will be announced in open meeting and issued 
as orders to the parties participating in the proceeding.

[[Page 49800]]

    Dated: September 17, 1996.
Marybeth Peters,
Register of Copyrights.
[FR Doc. 96-24290 Filed 9-20-96; 8:45 am]

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