Copyright Royalty Board Announces Increase in Licensing Fees for Performance of Musical Compositions by Colleges and Universities

Section 118 of the Copyright Act establishes a compulsory licensing scheme for the use of copyrighted musical compositions in connection with noncommercial broadcasting. The terms and rates for this license are set by the Copyright Royalty Board ("CRB") and are not the subject of private negotiation. These terms and rates were set by the CRB in 2008 but are subject to annual revision. The CRB has now announced that the rates for 2012 will increase by 3.5%. Thus, starting January 1, 2012, colleges and universities will be charged the following annual fee for use of musical compositions in the repertories of the three major music licensing organizations.

• For all published nondramatic musical works in the repertory of ASCAP, $312 annually;
• For all published nondramatic musical works  in the repertory of BMI, $312 annually; and
• For all published nondramatic musical works  in the repertory of SESAC, $125 annually.