17 U.S.C. § 112 — Limitations on exclusive rights: Ephemeral recordings

submitted 50 years ago by Pub. L. 94-553 to r/title-17-COPYRIGHTS · 2,213 words · no verdicts yet

in plain englishAI-generated · not legal advice

This copyright law lets broadcasters and nonprofits make a limited number of temporary copies of licensed broadcasts, mostly for their own transmission or archival use. It also creates a statutory license letting digital broadcasters make one copy of a sound recording under set royalty terms. Strict limits control how many copies are made, how they're used, and when they must be destroyed.

(a)(1) A broadcaster with a license — including a statutory license under section 114(f) — to transmit a performance or display of a work, or a broadcast radio or TV station licensed by the FCC that digitally broadcasts a sound recording performance on a nonsubscription basis, can make no more than one copy of a particular transmission program, without it counting as copyright infringement, if: (A) only that broadcaster keeps and uses the copy, and no further copies are made from it; (B) the copy is used only for that broadcaster's own transmissions in its local area, or for archiving or security; and (C) unless it's kept purely for archives, the copy is destroyed within six months of when the program was first broadcast. (2) If a copyright owner's technical protection measures stop the broadcaster from making that allowed copy, the copyright owner must give the broadcaster the means to make it, if that's technologically and economically reasonable. If the copyright owner doesn't do this in time given the broadcaster's business needs, the broadcaster won't be liable for violating the anti-circumvention rule in section 1201(a)(1) for doing what's needed to make the allowed copy. (b) A government body or nonprofit with a license to transmit a work under section 110(2), or under the sound-recording limits in section 114(a), can make up to thirty copies of a transmission program without infringing, if: (1) no further copies are made from those copies; and (2) except for one archival copy, the copies are destroyed within seven years of the program's first broadcast. (c) A government body or nonprofit can make and distribute up to one copy — per receiving broadcaster — of a transmission program containing a religious nondramatic musical work or sound recording of one, without infringing, if: (1) there's no charge for making or distributing the copies; (2) each copy is used for only one public transmission by a broadcaster licensed to transmit that performance; and (3) except for one archival copy, all copies are destroyed within one year of first broadcast. (d) A government body or nonprofit licensed to transmit a performance under section 110(8) can make up to ten copies of that performance, and let other qualifying government bodies or nonprofits use those copies, without infringing, if: (1) each copy stays only with the organization that made it or another qualifying organization, with no further copies made; (2) each copy is used only for transmissions authorized under section 110(8), or for archiving or security; and (3) no one charges for letting another organization use the copy. (e) Statutory License: (1) a broadcaster entitled to transmit a sound recording under section 114(d)(1)(C)(iv) or a statutory license under 114(f) can get a statutory license to make up to one phonorecord copy of the sound recording — or more, if the license terms allow — if: (A) only that broadcaster keeps and uses it, with no further copies made; (B) it's used only for that broadcaster's own U.S. transmissions under the statutory license or the 114(d)(1)(C)(iv) exception; (C) unless archived, it's destroyed within 6 months of first use; and (D) the sound recording has been lawfully distributed to the public — or the copyright owner authorizes the transmission — and the copy is made from a lawfully obtained phonorecord. (2) Copyright owners and broadcasters can negotiate their own royalty rates and terms for this license, and use common agents to negotiate or handle payments — antitrust law doesn't block this. (3) The Copyright Royalty Judges set the standard rates and terms for a 5-year period, or another period the parties agree to, including a minimum fee per service type. Owners and broadcasters can submit existing license agreements to the Judges as evidence. Each side pays its own costs in the proceeding. (4) The Judges' schedule of rates binds all owners and broadcasters using this statutory license for that period, subject to paragraph (5). The Judges must set rates that reflect what a willing buyer and seller would agree to in the marketplace, based on economic and competitive evidence, including: (A) whether the service substitutes for, promotes, or otherwise affects sales of phonorecords; and (B) each side's role — creative, technical, financial, and risk-related — in the recording and the service. They can also consider voluntarily negotiated rates. The Judges must also set requirements for notifying copyright owners of use and for recordkeeping by broadcasters. (5) Any license voluntarily negotiated between owners and broadcasters overrides the Judges' or Librarian of Congress's determinations. (6)(A) Anyone can make a licensed phonorecord copy without infringing by either following the Judges' notice rules and paying the set fees, or, if fees aren't yet set, by agreeing to pay whatever fees are eventually determined. (B) Back-owed royalties must be paid by the 20th of the month after fees are set. (7) If a copyright owner's technical protection measures block a broadcaster from making the licensed copy, the owner must provide the means to do so if reasonable, or the broadcaster is shielded from section 1201(a)(1) liability for making the necessary copy, the same as under (a)(2). (8) Nothing in this subsection reduces the value or existence of the copyright owner's other exclusive rights in a sound recording or musical work — including reproduction and distribution rights under sections 106(1), 106(3), and 115, and public performance rights under sections 106(4) and 106(6) — except as this subsection specifically allows. (f)(1) A government body or nonprofit educational institution entitled under section 110(2) to transmit a performance or display can make copies of a work that's already digital — and, to the limited extent allowed in (2), a work that's only in analog form — for use in transmissions authorized under 110(2), if: (A) only that institution keeps and uses the copies, with no further copies made except as 110(2) allows; and (B) the copies are used only for transmissions authorized under 110(2). (2) This doesn't generally allow converting print or analog works to digital format — except, and only to the extent the work is authorized to be performed or displayed under 110(2), if: (A) no digital version is available to the institution; or (B) the available digital version has technological protections that block its use for 110(2) purposes. (g) A transmission program made under this section doesn't get separate copyright protection as a "derivative work," except with the express permission of the owners of the original works used in it.

the actual law source: uscode.house.gov ↗public domain

(a)

(1)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, and except in the case of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, it is not an infringement of copyright for a transmitting organization entitled to transmit to the public a performance or display of a work, under a license, including a statutory license under section 114(f), or transfer of the copyright or under the limitations on exclusive rights in sound recordings specified by section 114(a), or for a transmitting organization that is a broadcast radio or television station licensed as such by the Federal Communications Commission and that makes a broadcast transmission of a performance of a sound recording in a digital format on a nonsubscription basis, to make no more than one copy or phonorecord of a particular transmission program embodying the performance or display, if—

(A)

the copy or phonorecord is retained and used solely by the transmitting organization that made it, and no further copies or phonorecords are reproduced from it; and

(B)

the copy or phonorecord is used solely for the transmitting organization’s own transmissions within its local service area, or for purposes of archival preservation or security; and

(C)

unless preserved exclusively for archival purposes, the copy or phonorecord is destroyed within six months from the date the transmission program was first transmitted to the public.

(2)

In a case in which a transmitting organization entitled to make a copy or phonorecord under paragraph (1) in connection with the transmission to the public of a performance or display of a work is prevented from making such copy or phonorecord by reason of the application by the copyright owner of technical measures that prevent the reproduction of the work, the copyright owner shall make available to the transmitting organization the necessary means for permitting the making of such copy or phonorecord as permitted under that paragraph, if it is technologically feasible and economically reasonable for the copyright owner to do so. If the copyright owner fails to do so in a timely manner in light of the transmitting organization’s reasonable business requirements, the transmitting organization shall not be liable for a violation of section 1201(a)(1) of this title for engaging in such activities as are necessary to make such copies or phonorecords as permitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(b)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement of copyright for a governmental body or other nonprofit organization entitled to transmit a performance or display of a work, under section 110(2) or under the limitations on exclusive rights in sound recordings specified by section 114(a), to make no more than thirty copies or phonorecords of a particular transmission program embodying the performance or display, if—

(1)

no further copies or phonorecords are reproduced from the copies or phonorecords made under this clause; and

(2)

except for one copy or phonorecord that may be preserved exclusively for archival purposes, the copies or phonorecords are destroyed within seven years from the date the transmission program was first transmitted to the public.

(c)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement of copyright for a governmental body or other nonprofit organization to make for distribution no more than one copy or phonorecord, for each transmitting organization specified in clause (2) of this subsection, of a particular transmission program embodying a performance of a nondramatic musical work of a religious nature, or of a sound recording of such a musical work, if—

(1)

there is no direct or indirect charge for making or distributing any such copies or phonorecords; and

(2)

none of such copies or phonorecords is used for any performance other than a single transmission to the public by a transmitting organization entitled to transmit to the public a performance of the work under a license or transfer of the copyright; and

(3)

except for one copy or phonorecord that may be preserved exclusively for archival purposes, the copies or phonorecords are all destroyed within one year from the date the transmission program was first transmitted to the public.

(d)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement of copyright for a governmental body or other nonprofit organization entitled to transmit a performance of a work under section 110(8) to make no more than ten copies or phonorecords embodying the performance, or to permit the use of any such copy or phonorecord by any governmental body or nonprofit organization entitled to transmit a performance of a work under section 110(8), if—

(1)

any such copy or phonorecord is retained and used solely by the organization that made it, or by a governmental body or nonprofit organization entitled to transmit a performance of a work under section 110(8), and no further copies or phonorecords are reproduced from it; and

(2)

any such copy or phonorecord is used solely for transmissions authorized under section 110(8), or for purposes of archival preservation or security; and

(3)

the governmental body or nonprofit organization permitting any use of any such copy or phonorecord by any governmental body or nonprofit organization under this subsection does not make any charge for such use.

(e)Statutory License.—

(1)

A transmitting organization entitled to transmit to the public a performance of a sound recording under the limitation on exclusive rights specified by section 114(d)(1)(C)(iv) or under a statutory license in accordance with section 114(f) is entitled to a statutory license, under the conditions specified by this subsection, to make no more than 1 phonorecord of the sound recording (unless the terms and conditions of the statutory license allow for more), if the following conditions are satisfied:

(A)

The phonorecord is retained and used solely by the transmitting organization that made it, and no further phonorecords are reproduced from it.

(B)

The phonorecord is used solely for the transmitting organization’s own transmissions originating in the United States under a statutory license in accordance with section 114(f) or the limitation on exclusive rights specified by section 114(d)(1)(C)(iv).

(C)

Unless preserved exclusively for purposes of archival preservation, the phonorecord is destroyed within 6 months from the date the sound recording was first transmitted to the public using the phonorecord.

(D)

Phonorecords of the sound recording have been distributed to the public under the authority of the copyright owner or the copyright owner authorizes the transmitting entity to transmit the sound recording, and the transmitting entity makes the phonorecord under this subsection from a phonorecord lawfully made and acquired under the authority of the copyright owner.

(2)

Notwithstanding any provision of the antitrust laws, any copyright owners of sound recordings and any transmitting organizations entitled to a statutory license under this subsection may negotiate and agree upon royalty rates and license terms and conditions for making phonorecords of such sound recordings under this section and the proportionate division of fees paid among copyright owners, and may designate common agents to negotiate, agree to, pay, or receive such royalty payments.

(3)

Proceedings under chapter 8 shall determine reasonable rates and terms of royalty payments for the activities specified by paragraph (1) during the 5-year period beginning on January 1 of the second year following the year in which the proceedings are to be commenced, or such other period as the parties may agree. Such rates shall include a minimum fee for each type of service offered by transmitting organizations. Any copyright owners of sound recordings or any transmitting organizations entitled to a statutory license under this subsection may submit to the Copyright Royalty Judges licenses covering such activities with respect to such sound recordings. The parties to each proceeding shall bear their own costs.

(4)

The schedule of reasonable rates and terms determined by the Copyright Royalty Judges shall, subject to paragraph (5), be binding on all copyright owners of sound recordings and transmitting organizations entitled to a statutory license under this subsection during the 5-year period specified in paragraph (3), or such other period as the parties may agree. Such rates shall include a minimum fee for each type of service offered by transmitting organizations. The Copyright Royalty Judges shall establish rates that most clearly represent the fees that would have been negotiated in the marketplace between a willing buyer and a willing seller. In determining such rates and terms, the Copyright Royalty Judges shall base their decision on economic, competitive, and programming information presented by the parties, including—

(A)

whether use of the service may substitute for or may promote the sales of phonorecords or otherwise interferes with or enhances the copyright owner’s traditional streams of revenue; and

(B)

the relative roles of the copyright owner and the transmitting organization in the copyrighted work and the service made available to the public with respect to relative creative contribution, technological contribution, capital investment, cost, and risk.

In establishing such rates and terms, the Copyright Royalty Judges may consider the rates and terms under voluntary license agreements described in paragraphs (2) and (3). The Copyright Royalty Judges shall also establish requirements by which copyright owners may receive reasonable notice of the use of their sound recordings under this section, and under which records of such use shall be kept and made available by transmitting organizations entitled to obtain a statutory license under this subsection.

(5)

License agreements voluntarily negotiated at any time between 1 or more copyright owners of sound recordings and 1 or more transmitting organizations entitled to obtain a statutory license under this subsection shall be given effect in lieu of any decision by the Librarian of Congress or determination by the Copyright Royalty Judges.

(6)

(A)

Any person who wishes to make a phonorecord of a sound recording under a statutory license in accordance with this subsection may do so without infringing the exclusive right of the copyright owner of the sound recording under section 106(1)—

(i)

by complying with such notice requirements as the Copyright Royalty Judges shall prescribe by regulation and by paying royalty fees in accordance with this subsection; or

(ii)

if such royalty fees have not been set, by agreeing to pay such royalty fees as shall be determined in accordance with this subsection.

(B)

Any royalty payments in arrears shall be made on or before the 20th day of the month next succeeding the month in which the royalty fees are set.

(7)

If a transmitting organization entitled to make a phonorecord under this subsection is prevented from making such phonorecord by reason of the application by the copyright owner of technical measures that prevent the reproduction of the sound recording, the copyright owner shall make available to the transmitting organization the necessary means for permitting the making of such phonorecord as permitted under this subsection, if it is technologically feasible and economically reasonable for the copyright owner to do so. If the copyright owner fails to do so in a timely manner in light of the transmitting organization’s reasonable business requirements, the transmitting organization shall not be liable for a violation of section 1201(a)(1) of this title for engaging in such activities as are necessary to make such phonorecords as permitted under this subsection.

(8)

Nothing in this subsection annuls, limits, impairs, or otherwise affects in any way the existence or value of any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owners in a sound recording, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, or in a musical work, including the exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute a sound recording or musical work, including by means of a digital phonorecord delivery, under sections 106(1), 106(3), and 115, and the right to perform publicly a sound recording or musical work, including by means of a digital audio transmission, under sections 106(4) and 106(6).

(f)

(1)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, and without limiting the application of subsection (b), it is not an infringement of copyright for a governmental body or other nonprofit educational institution entitled under section 110(2) to transmit a performance or display to make copies or phonorecords of a work that is in digital form and, solely to the extent permitted in paragraph (2), of a work that is in analog form, embodying the performance or display to be used for making transmissions authorized under section 110(2), if—

(A)

such copies or phonorecords are retained and used solely by the body or institution that made them, and no further copies or phonorecords are reproduced from them, except as authorized under section 110(2); and

(B)

such copies or phonorecords are used solely for transmissions authorized under section 110(2).

(2)

This subsection does not authorize the conversion of print or other analog versions of works into digital formats, except that such conversion is permitted hereunder, only with respect to the amount of such works authorized to be performed or displayed under section 110(2), if—

(A)

no digital version of the work is available to the institution; or

(B)

the digital version of the work that is available to the institution is subject to technological protection measures that prevent its use for section 110(2).

(g)

The transmission program embodied in a copy or phonorecord made under this section is not subject to protection as a derivative work under this title except with the express consent of the owners of copyright in the preexisting works employed in the program.

Source credit: (Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2558; Pub. L. 105–304, title IV, §§ 402, 405(b), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2888, 2899; Pub. L. 106–44, § 1(b), Aug. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, § 13301(c)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1912; Pub. L. 108–419, § 5(b), Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2361.)

history & why it existsrecord from the source credit

1976Enacted · Pub. L. 94-553 · 90 Stat. 2558
1998Amended · Pub. L. 105-304 · 112 Stat. 2888, 2899
1999Amended · Pub. L. 106-44 · 113 Stat. 221
2002Amended · Pub. L. 107-273 · 116 Stat. 1912
2004Amended · Pub. L. 108-419 · 118 Stat. 2361

A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 94-553 on 1976-10-19.

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