Copyright Office Introduces Online Group Registration of Photographs

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In recognition of the difficulties facing photographer's to register large volumes of photographs, the U.S. Copyright Office has announced that starting in February (2/20/2018) , they will accept group registrations of photographs via the online registration system (eCO).  Each online application can include up to 750 images from a single copyright owner (not photographer).  The Final Rule published by Copyright Office includes a number of other modifications, as well as a detailed discussion of the reasoning behind these changes. Included in the discussion was this analysis of the needs of photographers: The CVA surveyed 1,744 photographers and asked them to identify the average number of photographs that they take in a single day and over the course of a single month. The vast majority of the respondents—70%—reported that they take fewer than 750 photos on an average day, while another 17% reported that they take between 751 and 1,500 photos on an average day. This presumably represents the average rate for a daily photo...
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Less is More: Copyright Office Changes Deposit Requirement for Musical Compositions.

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Modification of Current Deposit Rules The United States Copyright Office on Tuesday (January 17, 2018) published a modification to the current rules regarding registration of musical compositions.  Under the current rules, registration of compositions that have been published in both print and as part of a sound recording  can be registered by depositing a copy of the recording only.  This modification, changes this rule and requires that the print edition be submitted.  However, if only the recording exists at the time of the application, only the submission of the recording is required. This modification is in line with the requirement that applicants must submit the "Best Edition" of the work. The final rule is available here and goes into effect on February 16, 2018. What Does this Change Mean to Me? Composers should take note that this change may require the submission of a complete set of sheet music if it exists.  The rule and commentary remains somewhat vague as to whether, with less formal compositions, publication...
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Copyright Office Proposes Rule to Establish a Group Registration for Unpublished Works

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NewsNet Issue 686 October 12, 2017 Copyright Office Proposes Rule to Establish a Group Registration for Unpublished Works The United States Copyright Office is proposing to create a new group registration option for a limited number of unpublished works. The proposed rule would replace the current “unpublished collections” registration option. Among other things, applicants would be required to submit an online application and upload their works to the electronic registration system, although the Office may waive these requirements in exceptional cases. The proposed rule offers a number of significant benefits compared to current practices: it would allow the Office to more easily examine each work for copyrightable authorship, to create a more robust record of the claim, and to improve the overall efficiency of the registration process. The notice of proposed rulemaking and instructions on how to submit a comment are available here. Written comments must be received no later than November 13, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time....
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Copyright Office Releases an Updated Draft of the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition

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Reprinted From Library of Congress NewsNet Issue 666, June 1, 2017 Copyright Office Releases an Updated Draft of the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition Acting Register of Copyrights Karyn Temple Claggett today released a revised draft of the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition. This draft includes the first proposed updates to the Compendium since its release in December 2014. The public draft is available on the Office’s website at https://copyright.gov/comp3/draft.html. It will go into effect on July 3, 2017. The Compendium is the administrative manual of the Register of Copyrights concerning the mandate and statutory duties of the Copyright Office under Title 17 of the United States Code. See 37 CFR. § 201.2(b)(7). The proposed updates are the result of a comprehensive review of the Office’s practices and procedures. The draft revisions to the registration chapters clarify how and when the Office communicates with applicants and how it handles duplicate claims, deposit requirements, and claims involving multiple works, among other improvements....
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Copyright Office Releases Comprehensive Music Licensing Study

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LOC NewsNet Issue 567 February 5, 2015 Copyright Office Releases Comprehensive Music Licensing Study The U.S. Copyright Office has released a comprehensive study, “Copyright and the Music Marketplace,” detailing the aging music licensing framework as well as the ever-evolving needs of those who create and invest in music in the twenty-first century. In addition to providing an exhaustive review of the existing system, the report makes a number of recommendations that would bring both clarity and relief to songwriters, artists, publishers, record labels, and digital delivery services. “Few would dispute that music is culturally essential and economically important to the world we live in,” said Maria A. Pallante, Register of Copyrights, “but the reality is that both music creators and the innovators who support them are increasingly doing business in legal quicksand. As this report makes clear, this state of affairs neither furthers the copyright law nor befits a nation as creative as the United States.” There is broad consensus across the music industry on...
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