Expiration of GMR Extended Interim License Agreement.
Since late December 2016, GMR (Global Music Rights) has made available to radio stations an interim license agreement pending the resolution of litigation between GMR and the RMLC, giving stations the opportunity to avoid potential copyright infringement if they play songs in GMR’s repertory. The current interim license period—which commercial radio broadcasters had the ability to “opt into” at the end of December 2021—runs through March 31, 2022. Typically, GMR offers new interim license extensions in the month immediately prior to the expiration of the current interim license period. Accordingly, broadcasters may be presented with such an extension opportunity in March 2022; it is also possible that a new licensing framework will apply if GMR and RMLC settle the pending litigation. Please monitor VAB legal memoranda for additional information on this topic. Note further that the interim GMR license applies only to commercial radio stations. A separate compulsory license under copyright law generally covers terrestrial broadcasts (but not Internet streaming) for noncommercial radio stations.
