Recent Announcements

August 22, 2024

Copyright Royalty Judges Announce Receipt of Notices of Intent to Audit

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from SoundExchange, Inc., of a notice of intent to audit the 2021, 2022, and 2023 statements of account submitted by commercial webcaster licensee Salem Media Group concerning royalty payments it made pursuant to two statutory licenses. For more information, click here.

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About Us

The Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004 (CRDRA) established the Copyright Royalty Judges program in the Library of Congress. The Copyright Royalty Judges (Judges) oversee the copyright law’s statutory licenses, which permit qualified parties to use multiple copyrighted works without obtaining separate licenses from each copyright owner.

The Judges determine and adjust royalty rates and terms applicable to the statutory copyright licenses. They also oversee distribution of royalties deposited with the Copyright Office by certain statutory licensees and adjudicate controversies relating to the distributions.

The Judges are appointed by the Librarian of Congress to serve staggered six-year terms. Each may be reappointed to subsequent six-year terms.

Under the CRDRA, each judge must have a law degree and at least seven years’ legal experience. In addition, one judge must have significant knowledge of copyright law, one must have significant knowledge of economics, and one must have a minimum of five years’ judicial or quasi-judicial experience. The board of Judges consists of David P. Shaw, (chief judge), Judge David R. Strickler (economics), and Judge Steve Ruwe (copyright).

David P. Shaw, Chief Copyright Royalty Judge

David P. ShawChief Copyright Royalty Judge

David Strickler, Copyright Royalty Judge

David R. StricklerCopyright Royalty Judge

Steve Ruwe, Copyright Royalty Judge

Steve RuweCopyright Royalty Judge

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