Broadcaster/Small Broadcaster
1Eligible Services
First, ensure your service is eligible to operate under the statutory license. Begin by reviewing the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C., §§ 112 and 114 to familiarize yourself with the applicable requirements that would govern your service. For more information about statutory licensing, please review the Licensing 101 section on our website.
Under these rates and terms, an eligible service is defined as any commercial webcaster who has a “substantial business owning and operating one or more terrestrial AM or FM radio stations”. These rates were negotiated by SoundExchange and the National Association of Broadcasters, but additional eligible services may opt-in.
Additional accommodations are made for eligible ‘Small Broadcasters’ – any applicable broadcaster who 1) has less than 27,777 aggregate tuning hours (total listening hours) per year for ANY of its broadcast simulcast stations or channels; and/or 2) has less than 27,777 ATH for ALL of its Internet-only channels in aggregate.
2Terms
3Rates
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2006 | $0.0008 |
| 2007 | $0.0011 |
| 2008 | $0.0014 |
| 2009 | $0.0015 |
| 2010 | $0.0016 |
| 2011 | $0.0017 |
| 2012 | $0.0020 |
| 2013 | $0.0022 |
| 2014 | $0.0023 |
| 2015 | $0.0025 |
4Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
Accommodations for ‘Small Broadcasters’, as defined above, include an annual $100 proxy fee in lieu of reporting requirements for the entire term.
5Opting In
Services wishing to operate under these rates and terms must file a Notice of Election for Broadcaster/Simulcasters. Broadcasters in existence prior to April 2, 2009, were required to elect by that date. New broadcasters must elect within 30 days of launch. Election is binding for the duration of the term (2006-2015) . Small broadcasters must file the Broadcaster Notice of Election once, and the additional Small Broadcaster Notice of Election annually. Forms and details are available on the “How Do I Pay” page.
Eligible webcasters wishing operate under this set of terms must provide notice to the Copyright Royalty Board of your intent operate under the statutory license by submitting a Notice of Use of Sound Recordings Under Statutory License (“Notice of Use”). This form must be submitted directly to the copyright office, not to SoundExchange, and need only be filed once. The Notice of Use must be accompanied by a $25 filing fee and should be submitted to the Copyright Royalty Board at the address listed on the form. Please note that the Copyright Royalty Board WILL NOT confirm receipt of form and fee. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt, you will need to send via certified mail, return receipt requested.
6Compliance
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