U.S. Copyright Office Fully Operational Following Government Reopening

NewsNet 1077

November 14, 2025

The U.S. Copyright Office is fully operational following the reopening of the federal government. The Office has resumed all services and continues to administer U.S. copyright law, including registering copyright claims, recording information about copyright ownership, providing information to the public, and assisting Congress and other parts of the government.

During the lapse in appropriations, most Office functions were paused. The Office has now resumed processing copyright registrations, recordation applications, and other requests. We are working diligently to handle pending submissions as promptly as possible. Consistent with our normal practices, registration claims and recordation submissions generally will be handled in the order in which they were received, including those submitted since October 1.

Any delay that occurred in processing will not affect the effective date of registration. This is the date the Office receives in acceptable form all required registration elements: an application, a deposit, and a nonrefundable filing fee. If additional information is needed to process a registration application, the Office will correspond with applicants.

The Copyright Claims Board (CCB), the Office’s voluntary small-claims tribunal, has resumed processing claims, including those submitted during the funding lapse. The CCB will work expeditiously to review those claims and other filings and respond to emails. It will also reschedule party conferences that were cancelled.

The Office appreciates the patience and understanding of the public and users of copyright services as we process applications and other submissions. If you have questions about the status of your submission, please contact us at copyright.gov/help/ during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time. Our Copyright Office Reading Room is also open during regular business hours.

For more information about the U.S. Copyright Office, please visit us at copyright.gov.

Copyright Office Announces Open Application Period for Ringer Fellowships

NewsNet 1076
September 2, 2025

The Copyright Office is now accepting applications for the Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program. This fellowship, which runs eighteen to twenty-four months, was created for attorneys in the initial stages of their careers who demonstrate exceptional ability and interest in copyright law. Ringer Fellows work closely with senior attorneys and others in the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Policy and International Affairs, the Office of the Register, and the Office of Registration Policy and Practice on a range of copyright-related law and policy matters. Ringer Fellows serve as full-time federal employees for the term of their fellowships and are eligible for salary and benefits as permitted under federal law.

Additional details about the Ringer Fellowship, including the application process, can be found on the Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program website. Applications will be accepted from September 2, 2025, through December 31, 2025.

Erik Bertin Appointed Acting Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Registration Policy and Practice

NewsNet 1075

September 2, 2025

The United States Copyright Office today announced that Erik Bertin will serve as Acting Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Registration Policy and Practice, effective August 31, 2025. Bertin assumes this role upon the departure of Associate Register and Director of Registration Policy and Practice Robert Kasunic.

Robert Kasunic leaves the Copyright Office after twenty-five years of dedicated service. Prior to his 2013 appointment to lead the Office of Registration Policy and Practice, he served in the Office of General Counsel—first as a Senior Attorney beginning in 2000, then as Principal Legal Advisor in 2003, and as Deputy General Counsel in 2010. During his tenure as Associate Register of Copyrights, he oversaw the registration of over five million claims to copyright covering tens of millions of works and achieved historically low processing times. His broad scope of knowledge and focus on promoting creativity have set the vision for a modernized copyright registration system now in development.

The Office recognizes Kasunic’s expertise, which has been invaluable. He has been instrumental across several periods of significant transformation and innovation for the Copyright Office.

As Deputy Director of Registration Policy and Practice, Erik Bertin has greatly contributed to the Office’s achievements for well over a decade, and Office staff look forward to working with him in his new role.

Bertin joined the Copyright Office in 2011 as an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Policy and International Affairs, and he served as Assistant General Counsel from 2013 to 2015. Since 2015, he has served as Deputy Director of Registration Policy and Practice. He shares responsibility for overseeing the Office of Registration Policy and Practice and manages a diverse portfolio of legal, policy, and governance matters.

Before joining the Copyright Office, Bertin worked in private practice in Washington, DC, where he represented a wide range of clients in intellectual property matters. Bertin earned a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was an articles editor for the law review, and a BA in English from The Johns Hopkins University.

U.S. Copyright Office Invites Public to Webinar on Conducting Public Records Searches Using the Copyright Public Records System

NewsNet 1074 
August 26, 2025

The U.S. Copyright Office invites you to register for the upcoming webinar, Conducting Public Records Searches Using the Copyright Public Records System, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. eastern time.

This webinar is the third in a series focused on helping users understand how to use the Copyright Public Records System (CPRS). Prior webinars in this series provide walkthroughs of CPRS’s simple and advanced search capabilities and can be viewed on our website:

• How to Effectively Use the Copyright Public Records System
• Level Up Your Copyright Public Records Search

The upcoming webinar builds on the previous sessions and is geared for users already familiar with CPRS. It will cover the latest features in CPRS, discuss search scenarios, answer frequently asked questions, and share highlights from public survey feedback. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers.

In June 2025, the U.S. Copyright Office replaced its Online Public Catalog with CPRS, a significantly enhanced module with advanced search capabilities, filters, and improved interfaces for public users and Office staff. CPRS provides copyright registration and recordation data from 1978 to the present and searchable metadata for over 4 million registration applications from 1898 to 1945. CPRS is the second component of the Office’s Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) to be made publicly available.

Time: September 25, 2025, 1:00 p.m. eastern time; register to attend

Speakers:

• Denise Wofford, Assistant Register and Director, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office
• Shawn Gallagher, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office

The Office encourages you to access CPRS at publicrecords.copyright.gov and provide feedback on your experience using the feedback link at the bottom of the page.

To receive notifications about future Copyright Office events, subscribe to our email updates.

U.S. Copyright Office Announces Webinar on Copyright Essentials for Writers

NewsNet 1072 
July 7, 2025

The U.S. Copyright Office invites you to register to attend the third session in our Copyright Essentials webinar series. The Plot Thickens: Copyright Essentials for Writers will take place on August 6 at 1:00 p.m. eastern time.

In this session, the Copyright Office will discuss what writers should know about copyright. We will cover information for writers of various literary works—from novels and blogs to poetry, cookbooks, textbooks, and more. The session will also review suitable application options and how our Public Information Office can help you along the way.

Attendees will also learn copyright basics, answers to commonly asked questions, and where to find Copyright Office educational resources.

Speakers:

• Jessica Chinnadurai, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Information and Education
• Laura Kaiser, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Information and Education

Prior Copyright Essentials webinars can also be viewed on our website:

• Copyright Essentials: Myths Explained
• Copyright Essentials: Myths Explained September 2024 Update
• Creativity in Focus: Copyright Essentials for Visual Artists and Photographers
• Find Your Voice: Copyright Essentials for Musicians

The Copyright Office strategic goal of Copyright for All means making the copyright system as understandable and accessible to as many members of the public as possible, through initiatives including education and outreach. Sign up to stay updated about future webinars in this series.

U.S. Copyright Office Replaces Online Public Catalog with Copyright Public Records System

NewsNet 1071
June 24, 2025

Today, the U.S. Copyright Office is pleased to announce that the Copyright Public Records System (CPRS) has replaced its Online Public Catalog. CPRS provides copyright registration and recordation data with advanced search capabilities, filters, and improved interfaces for public users and Office staff. CPRS is the second component of the Office’s Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) to be made publicly available.

Since the December 2020 release of the CPRS pilot, the Office, in partnership with the Office of the Chief Information Officer at the Library of Congress, has continuously improved CPRS’s search capabilities and interfaces in response to public feedback. CPRS includes both recordation and registration information from 1978 to the present and searchable metadata for over 3.8 million registration applications from 1898 to 1945. As the Office continues its modernization efforts, more records and metadata will be added to CPRS on a regular basis.

The Office encourages you to access CPRS at publicrecords.copyright.gov and provide feedback on your experience using the link at the bottom of that page.

To learn more about how to conduct copyright public records searches with CPRS, visit our Tutorials page. To receive notifications about future Copyright Office events, subscribe to our email updates.

U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Copyright Registration Toolkit  

NewsNet 1070

April 22, 2025

Today, the U.S. Copyright Office released the Copyright Registration Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to help creators, small business owners, advisors, and others navigate the copyright system. As part of the Copyright Office’s Copyright for All initiative, the toolkit is a visual breakdown of copyright, including essential information about copyright law, how to prepare for copyright registration, what to expect during the process, and post-registration considerations. 

“The Copyright Registration Toolkit makes copyright information more accessible and user-friendly for all creators,” said Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education Miriam Lord. “Resources like this one empower authors, artists, musicians, and their advisors to protect and manage creative works with confidence.” 

Developed in conjunction with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's intellectual property (IP) toolkits for trademarks, trade secrets, and patents, these resources collectively provide a broad overview of IP protection under U.S. law. 

Copyright Office attorneys, writers, and designers collaborated on the toolkit to ensure it serves as a reliable and engaging reference for creators making business decisions about their creative works and for advisors who help guide them in understanding their rights as IP owners.  

To learn more, visit the landing page on Intellectual Property Toolkits. For further inquiries, the Public Information Office is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. eastern time, to assist with questions about the copyright registration process. 

U.S. Copyright Office Invites Public to Webinar on Effectively Using the Copyright Public Records System

NewsNet 1069 
April 09, 2025

Have you used the Copyright Public Records System (CPRS) pilot to power your copyright public records searches? Now is the time to try, ahead of the summer 2025 decommissioning of the legacy system that supports the existing Copyright Office Online Public Catalog. CPRS will become the sole source of authoritative online copyright information on registrations and recordations by the end of June 2025.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced user, the U.S. Copyright Office invites you to register for the upcoming webinar, How to Effectively Use the Copyright Public Records System, on May 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. This sixty-minute webinar will highlight CPRS’s modern interface and features that can help users locate copyright public records successfully. Participants will walk away knowing how to use CPRS’s simple and advanced search capabilities, which include flexible formatting; dynamic filters; and the ability to download, email, and share records. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. CPRS is the second component to be made publicly available as part of the Office’s new Enterprise Copyright System (ECS).

Time: May 8, 2025, 2:00 p.m. eastern time; register to attend

Speakers:

• Denise Wofford, Assistant Register and Director, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office
• Shawn Gallagher, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office
• Robin Coreas, Program Analyst, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office

Since the December 2020 release of the CPRS pilot, the Office, in partnership with the Library of Congress, has continuously improved CPRS’s search capabilities and interfaces in response to public feedback. CPRS not only includes recordation and registration information, as in the existing Public Catalog, but also now includes searchable metadata for over 3.5 million registration applications from 1909 to 1945.

The Office encourages you to access the CPRS pilot at publicrecords.copyright.gov and provide feedback on your experience using the feedback link at the bottom of the page.

To receive notifications about future Copyright Office events, subscribe to our email updates.

U.S. Copyright Office Publishes Final Rule to Require Pay.gov Use for Statutory Royalty Payments

NewsNet 1068
March 31, 2025

The U.S. Copyright Office has published a final rule amending its regulations regarding the submission of royalty fees by cable, satellite, and digital audio recording devices or media (DART) operators to require that these fees be paid using Pay.gov. 

This amendment simplifies the royalty payment process as part of broader efforts to make Office services digitized, interconnected, searchable, and easier to navigate.

View Pay.gov tutorials to become more familiar with the process.

U.S. Copyright Office Announces Webinar on Copyright Essentials for Musicians

NewsNet 1067
March 20, 2025

The U.S. Copyright Office invites you to register to attend a Copyright Essentials three-part series of online webinars, with the second session occurring on April 16 at 1:00 p.m. eastern time.

• Creativity in Focus: Copyright Essentials for Visual Artists and Photographers
• Find Your Voice: Copyright Essentials for Musicians
• The Plot Thickens: Copyright Essentials for Writers

These webinars are for creators in the visual art, music, and literary professions. In the second session, join us as the Copyright Office discusses what musicians, including performers and songwriters, should know about copyright—from the difference between musical works and sound recordings to registration application options and how our Public Information Office can help.

The took place in February and covered similar information for visual artists, including photographers. The third session will occur in August and address related topics for writers.

Attendees will also learn copyright basics, answers to commonly asked questions, and where to find Copyright Office educational resources. Register to attend. 

Speakers:

• Jessica Chinnadurai, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Information and Education
• Laura Kaiser, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Information and Education

Prior Copyright Essentials webinars can be viewed on our website:

• Copyright Essentials: Myths Explained
• Copyright Essentials: Myths Explained September 2024 Update

The Copyright Office strategic goal of Copyright for All means making the copyright system as understandable and accessible to as many members of the public as. Sign up to stay updated about future webinars in this series.

Emily Chapuis Appointed Acting General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights

NewsNet 1066

March 13, 2025

Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter today announced that Emily Chapuis will serve as Acting General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights at the United States Copyright Office, effective March 13, 2025. Chapuis assumes this role upon the departure of General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights Suzanne “Suzy” Wilson.

Wilson leaves the Copyright Office after over three years of dedicated service. During her tenure, she oversaw legal work on the establishment of the Copyright Claims Board and the launch of the Office’s AI initiative, including the development of the three-Part Report Copyright and Artificial Intelligence. She also led work on the ninth triennial section 1201 rulemaking; ensured the Office’s continued oversight of the Mechanical Licensing Collective, pursuant to the Music Modernization Act; provided counsel in significant copyright litigation matters, including before the Supreme Court; and advised Congress and other federal agencies on copyright law.

“Suzy’s expertise and leadership have been invaluable. She has been instrumental during a period of significant transformation and innovation for the Copyright Office,” said Register Perlmutter. “As Deputy General Counsel, Emily has greatly contributed to the Office’s achievements over the past two years. I look forward to working with her in her new role.”

Chapuis joined the Copyright Office in 2023 as Deputy General Counsel. She shares responsibility for overseeing the Office of General Counsel and manages a diverse portfolio of litigation, regulatory, and policy matters.

Before joining the Copyright Office, Chapuis was a commercial litigator and partner at a national law firm, where she developed extensive expertise in copyright law, including music licensing, rate-setting, and copyright infringement matters. Chapuis earned a JD from Yale Law School and graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Tulane University. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Nicholas G. Garaufis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Library to Host Copyright Public Modernization Committee Meeting April 3

NewsNet 1065 
March 10, 2025

The Library of Congress issued the following press release:

The Library of Congress has announced the next meeting of the Copyright Public Modernization Committee (CPMC) will take place on Thursday, April 3, at 1:00 p.m. eastern time. This virtual meeting is open to the public.

This second meeting of the second term of the CPMC will highlight results from the limited pilot of the new Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) standard application and group registration functionalities. Attendees will also see a demonstration of the responsive design features in the new Copyright Public Records System (CPRS). Committee members will lead a discussion of the responsive design for ECS, including the planned features for registration, followed by a public question and answer time.

This virtual public forum is free and open to the public. Participants must register in advance to attend. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.

Copyright Office Continuous Development of IT Systems is a joint effort between the U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress Office of the Chief Information Officer. For more information about Copyright Office technology and to view recordings of previous CPMC meetings, visit the Copyright Office’s Continuous Development website.

U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Notice of Inquiry Initiating a Study of the Copyright Claims Board

NewsNet 1064
March 10, 2025

As required by the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020, the Copyright Office has issued a notice of inquiry initiating a study of the Copyright Claims Board (CCB). To inform the study, the Office seeks comments on issues pertaining to the CCB, including its use and efficacy. After completion, the study will be delivered to Congress no later than February 2026.

The notice of inquiry and instructions on how to submit comments are available on the Office’s website. Initial written comments must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Friday, May 9, 2025. Written reply comments must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Copyright Office Adjusts Compliance Dates in its Earlier Final Rule Relating to Cable, Satellite, and DART License Reporting Practices

NewsNet 1063

February 28, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Releases Publication Produced by Group of Economic Scholars Identifying the Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Copyright Policy

NewsNet 1062
February 12, 2025

Today, the U.S. Copyright Office is releasing Identifying the Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Copyright Policy: Context and Direction for Economic Research. The publication, produced by a group of economic scholars, discusses the economic issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright policy. The group engaged in several months of substantive discussions, consultation with technical experts, and research, culminating in a daylong roundtable event. Participants spent the subsequent months articulating and refining the roundtable discussions, resulting in today’s publication. The group’s goal was identifying the most consequential economic characteristics of AI and copyright and what factors may inform policy decisions.

"Development of AI technology has meaningful implications for the economic frameworks of copyright policy, and economists have only just begun to explore those," said Copyright Office Chief Economist Brent Lutes. "The Office convened an economic roundtable on AI and copyright policy with experts to help expediate research and coordinate the research community. The goal of this group’s work is to provide the broader economic research community a structured and rigorous framework for considering economic evidence."

This publication serves as a platform for articulating the ideas expressed by participants as part of the roundtable. All principal contributors submitted written materials summarizing the group’s prior discussions on a particular topic, with editorial support provided by the Office of the Chief Economist. The many ideas and views discussed in this project do not necessarily represent the views of every roundtable participant or their respective institutions. The U.S. Copyright Office does not take a position on these ideas for the purposes of this project.

Copyright Office Issues Notification of Inquiry on Issues Related to Performing Rights Organizations

NewsNet 1061
February 10, 2025

Today the Copyright Office published a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Issues Related to Performing Rights Organizations. The Office issued this notice in response to a congressional request to gather comments on the increase in the number of performance right organizations (PROs) in the United States and their licensing revenue distribution practices. The NOI solicits public input on these topics and other related questions to assist in their further consideration.

The NOI can be found on the Office’s website. Initial public comments must be received by April 11.

Copyright Office Releases Part 2 of Artificial Intelligence Report

NewsNet 1060
January 29, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Announces Webinar on Copyright Essentials for Visual Artists and Photographers

NewsNet 1059
January 27, 2025

The U.S. Copyright Office invites you to register to attend a Copyright Essentials three-part series of online webinars, with the first session occurring on February 19 at 1:00 p.m. eastern time.

1) Creativity in Focus: Copyright Essentials for Visual Artists and Photographers
2) Find Your Voice: Copyright Essentials for Musicians
3) The Plot Thickens: Copyright Essentials for Writers

These webinars are for creators in the visual art, music, and literary professions. In the first session, join us as the Copyright Office discusses what visual artists, including graphic designers and photographers, should know about copyright—from the types of visual art works protectable by copyright to registration application options and how our Public Information Office can help.

The second session will take place in April and cover similar information for musicians, including songwriters and performers. The third session will occur in August and address related topics for writers.

Attendees will also learn copyright basics, answers to commonly asked questions, and where to find Copyright Office educational resources. Register to attend. 

Speakers:

• Jessica Chinnadurai, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Information and Education
• Laura Kaiser, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Public Information and Education

Prior Copyright Essentials webinars can be viewed on our website:
• Copyright Essentials: Myths Explained
• Copyright Essentials: Myths Explained September 2024 Update

The Copyright Office strategic goal of Copyright for All means making the copyright system as understandable and accessible to as many members of the public as possible, through initiatives including education and outreach. Sign up to stay updated about future webinars in this series.

Copyright Office Publishes Final Rule Relating to Cable, Satellite, and DART License Reporting Practices and Opens Rulemaking on Proposal to Require Pay.gov Use for Statutory Royalty Payments

NewsNet 1058
December 12, 2024

The Copyright Office has published a final rule relating to statements of account (SOAs) that cable, satellite, and digital audio recording devices or media (DART) operators must file under section 111 of the Copyright Act. 

The rule amends the Office’s regulations prescribing the information to be provided by cable operators on their SOAs, which must be filed biannually to obtain the benefits of section 111’s statutory license for the retransmission of broadcast programming. The rule updates and amends the Office’s regulations related to the reporting of equipment, broadcast, and franchise fees, as well as other information relating to the cable operator’s activities, such as the county in which it is located. The rule also eliminates certain aspects of the SOA that are no longer relevant, in part due to the change from analog to digital video service and in part due to changes in the manner in which cable systems operate. Finally, it makes technical amendments to the regulations governing satellite and DART filings for consistency.

To implement this rule, the Office will shortly issue new SOA forms. In the interim, cable operators are advised to use the current forms available on the Office’s website. For more information, visit the Copyright Office’s website.

Today, the Office also issued a proposal to amend its regulations regarding the submission of royalty fees by cable, satellite, and DART operators to require that these fees be paid using Pay.gov. The notice of proposed rulemaking and instructions on how to submit a comment are available on the website. Written comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking published on December 12, 2024 must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on January 13, 2025.

Final Rule Published in Ninth Triennial Section 1201 Proceeding

NewsNet 1057
October 25, 2024

The Librarian of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, is publishing a final rule in the Federal Register adopting exemptions to the statutory prohibition on circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works. Publication of the final rule marks the completion of the ninth triennial rulemaking proceeding under Title 17, section 1201, of the United States Code.

In this proceeding, the Register recommended adopting over two dozen proposed exemptions, as discussed in her formal Recommendation to the Librarian. The Librarian adopted the Register’s Recommendation in full.

As in prior section 1201 proceedings, the Copyright Office administered the rulemaking through an extensive public process. The Office received eleven petitions seeking new exemptions or expansion of existing exemptions, as well as thirty-seven petitions seeking renewal of exemptions adopted in prior rulemakings. The Office invited public feedback through multiple rounds of written comments and three days of public hearings. It also held ex parte meetings regarding three of the proposed exemptions and issued written follow-up questions regarding two of the proposed exemptions.

For this proceeding, the Office again employed a streamlined procedure that allowed members of the public to seek renewal of existing exemptions to which there was no meaningful opposition. The Register received petitions to renew all but one of the exemptions adopted in the eighth triennial rulemaking. After considering the renewal petitions and comments submitted in response, the Register recommended renewing all exemptions for which petitions were filed.

In addition to the petitions to renew existing exemptions, the Office considered petitions for expanded or new exemptions, which it organized into seven classes. Based on the legal standards and evidentiary record, the Register recommended granting proposed exemptions, in whole or in part, in three of the seven classes.

As required by statute, the Office also consulted with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce during the proceeding. The Register’s Recommendation reflects the complete record of public input, consultation, and legal analysis.

The final rule, Register’s Recommendation, record materials in this proceeding, and general information about the section 1201 rulemaking process are available on the Copyright Office website.

For media inquiries, please contact the Copyright Office at press@copyright.gov.

Copyright Office Announces Arrival of 2024–2026 Ringer Honors Fellow

NewsNet 1056
October 10, 2024

The U.S. Copyright Office is pleased to announce that Elizabeth J. “Liz” Porter has joined the Office as a fellow (2024–2026) in the Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program. Porter started her two-year appointment in September and, while working primarily with the Office of Policy and International Affairs and the Office of the General Counsel, will obtain exposure to all parts of the Office.

Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter appointed Porter after a competitive application and interview process and welcomes her to the program. Ringer Fellows acquire unparalleled insight into the U.S. copyright system to draw upon in their future careers. "The Ringer Fellowship program’s namesake, Barbara Ringer, was appointed by the Librarian of Congress as the eighth Register of Copyrights and the first woman to lead the U.S. Copyright Office. The Office honors her legacy through this paid fellowship, which offers a unique public service opportunity for early-career attorneys who demonstrate a strong interest in copyright law and a record of achievement in law school or practice," Perlmutter said.

Porter earned her law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at Arizona State University in 2024. During law school, Porter served as the student executive director for The McCarthy Institute for Intellectual Property, president of Law Students for the Arts, and co-host of an IP law podcast called, “Minimally Creative.” Porter previously interned with the Copyright Office in fall 2023 within its Office of Public Information and Education. Porter completed her bachelor of arts in political science and Italian from the University of Arizona.

For more information about the Ringer Copyright Honors Program, please visit the Ringer Fellowship webpage. The Office is accepting applications for the next fellowship term through December 31, 2024.

U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Final Rule Amending the Process and Fee to Obtain a Certified Final Determination from the Copyright Claims Board

NewsNet 1055
October 4, 2024

The Copyright Office has issued a final rule amending the process and fee to obtain a certified final determination from the Copyright Claims Board (CCB). The final rule modifies the current regulations to specify that parties will make such requests to the CCB, rather than using the generally applicable process to certify other Office records. The rule also lowers the fee for retrieval, copying, and certification of CCB final determinations to $15 each.

The final rule is effective immediately and is available online.

Library of Congress Announces New Members of Copyright Public Modernization Committee

First Meeting Scheduled for October 10, 2024

NewsNet 1054

September 24, 2024

The Library of Congress issued the following press release:

The Library of Congress announced today the new membership of the Copyright Public Modernization Committee, which has been renewed for a second three-year term. The CPMC was established to enhance communication with stakeholders and provide a public forum for the technology-related aspects of U.S. Copyright Office modernization. 

The first CPMC meeting of the new term will be hosted by the Library on October 10, 2024.

Members of the public were invited to apply for CPMC membership in a Federal Register notice earlier this year. Committee members were selected from a pool of applicants for their ability to represent a broad cross-section of the copyright community and other interested groups. They will provide feedback to the Library on both Copyright Office technology systems and broader Library technology systems that interface with and/or support Copyright Office operations. Discussion will cover the development of the new Enterprise Copyright System, which includes the Copyright Office’s registration, recordation, public records, and licensing IT applications.  

The CPMC will convene for at least two virtual or hybrid open forums a year through 2027 to publicly share information and answer questions. The new members are:

The first public meeting of the CPMC will take place virtually on October 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. eastern time. Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter and Library of Congress Chief Information Officer Judith Conklin will provide remarks, and Library subject-matter experts will provide updates on the development of the Enterprise Copyright System, including registration functionalities. Time will be allotted to allow for questions by the Copyright Public Modernization Committee members and, time permitting, from those viewing this event. The meeting will be recorded and made available for viewing.

This virtual public forum is free and open to the public. Viewers must register in advance to attend. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.

To view content from previous CPMC meetings and learn more about the continuous development of Copyright Office IT systems, visit copyright.gov/continuous-development/. Copyright Office IT modernization is a joint effort between the U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

Copyright Office Releases Report on the Geography of Copyright Registrations

NewsNet 1053 

September 11, 2024

Today, the U.S. Copyright Office is releasing a report, The Geography of Copyright Registrations. The study examines the geographic distribution of copyright claims registered by individuals and organizations within the United States. The purpose of the report is to better understand where the copyright system is used and how patterns of registrations differ across areas within the country.

“Understanding these patterns of registration activity will help us better identity the socioeconomic factors that influence creative and innovative activity,” said Chief Economist Brent Lutes. “In this report, we identified whether registrations were filed by groups or individuals, looked at registrations at the state level and within more precise localities, and then analyzed the geographic distribution of registration for different types of works.”   

The report reveals:

• The majority of copyright registrations originate from a handful of large metropolitan areas. Approximately 40 percent of all copyright registrations originate from just five: New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Chicago.
• Within the United States, certain geographic areas specialize in different types of creative works. For example, registrants in the South register many copyrights for musical works, registrants in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states register many literary works, and registrants in California specialize in film and dramatic works.
• Some areas have a high volume of registrations simply because of their large populations. When controlling for population, numerous locations at the city level emerge where individuals, companies, or universities are registering high concentrations of creative works.

This report uses data from copyright claims registered between 2009 and 2022.  A forthcoming report will focus on the demographics of copyright registrations in the United States.

Copyright Office Announces Open Application Period for Ringer Fellowship 

NewsNet 1052
August 30, 2024