Notice of Intent To Audit

<NOTICE> LIBRARY OF CONGRESS <SUBAGY>Copyright Royalty Board</SUBAGY> <DEPDOC>[Docket Nos. 25-CRB-0016-AU (Cox Media Group); 25-CRB-0017-AU (Hope Media Group); 25-CRB-0018-AU (Pandora Media, LLC); 25-CRB-0019-AU (Saga Communications, Inc.); 25-CRB-0020-AU (SomaFM.com, LLC); 25-CRB-0021-AU (Townsquare Media); 25-CRB-0022-AU (Z Ministries, Inc.); 25-CRB-0023-AU (Mood Media); 25-CRB-0024-AU (Music Choice); and 25-CRB-0025-AU (SiriusXM)]</DEPDOC> <SUBJECT>Notice of Intent To Audit</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Public notice. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from SoundExchange, Inc., of notices of intent to audit the 2022, 2023, and 2024 statements of account submitted by licensees under section 112 and/or 114 of title 17 Cox Media Group (eCRB No. 77868), Hope Media Group (eCRB No. 77869), Pandora Media LLC (eCRB No. 77870), Saga Communications Inc. (eCRB No. 77871), SomaFM.com, LLC (eCRB No. 77872), Townsquare Media (eCRB No. 77873), Z Ministries, Inc. (eCRB No. 77874), Mood Media (eCRB No. 77875), Music Choice (eCRB No. 77876), and SiriusXM (eCRB No. 77877). </SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> <E T="03">Dockets:</E> For access to the dockets to read background documents, go to eCRB at <E T="03">https://app.crb.gov</E> and perform a case search for each corresponding docket number. <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> Anita Brown, (202) 707-7658, <E T="03">crb@loc.gov.</E> </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> The Copyright Act grants to sound recordings copyright owners the exclusive right to publicly perform sound recordings by means of certain digital audio transmissions, subject to limitations. Specifically, the right is limited by certain exemptions as well the statutory license in section 114, which allows nonexempt noninteractive digital subscription services, eligible nonsubscription services, and preexisting satellite digital audio radio services to perform publicly sound recordings by means of digital audio transmissions. 17 U.S.C. 114(f). In addition, a statutory license in section 112 allows certain services to make necessary ephemeral reproductions to facilitate digital transmission of the sound recording. 17 U.S.C. 112(e). Licensees may operate under these licenses provided they pay the royalty fees and comply with the terms set by the Copyright Royalty Judges. The rates and terms for the section 112 and 114 licenses are codified in 37 CFR parts 380 and 382-84. As one of the terms for these licenses, the Judges designated SoundExchange, Inc., (SoundExchange) as the Collective, <E T="03">i.e.,</E> the organization charged with collecting the royalty payments and statements of account submitted by licensees, including those that operate commercial and noncommercial webcaster services, preexisting satellite digital audio radio services, new subscription services, and those that make ephemeral copies for transmission to business establishments. The Collective is also charged with distributing the royalties to the copyright owners and performers entitled to receive them under the section 112 and 114 licenses. <E T="03">See</E> 37 CFR 380.4(d)(1), 382.5(d)(1), 383.4(a), 384.4(b)(1). As the Collective, SoundExchange may, only once a year, conduct an audit of a licensee for any or all of the prior three calendar years to verify royalty payments. SoundExchange must first file with the Judges a notice of intent to audit a licensee and deliver the notice to the licensee. <E T="03">See</E> 37 CFR 380.6(b), 382.7(b), 383.4(a) and 384.6(b). On December 12, 2025, SoundExchange filed with the Judges notices of intent to audit the statements of account submitted by licensees Cox Media Group, Hope Media Group, Pandora Media LLC, Saga Communications Inc., SomaFM.com,LLC, Townsquare Media, Z Ministries, Inc., Mood Media, Music Choice, and SiriusXM for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Judges must publish notice in the <E T="04">Federal Register</E> within 30 days of receipt of a notice announcing the Collective's intent to conduct an audit. <E T="03">See</E> 37 CFR 380.6(c) 382.7(c), 383.4(a) and 384.6(c). This notice fulfills the Judges' publication obligation. <SIG> <DATED>Dated: December 19, 2025.</DATED> <NAME>Steve Ruwe,</NAME> Copyright Royalty Judge. </SIG> </SUPLINF> <FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-23756 Filed 12-22-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC> </NOTICE>