The US Copyright Office wants to build a new, modern digital registration system and needs your help!

 

From the U.S. Copyright Office – 

The U.S. Copyright Office has published a notice of inquiry requesting written comments on how to improve the regulations and practices related to the registration of copyright claims in the digital age. The Office’s registration services are vital to creators and users of creative works. Thus, the Office intends to replace the current electronic system (known as “eCO”) with a modern solution that aims to improve user experience, increase Office efficiency, and decrease processing times. To that end, the Office is considering several legal and policy changes to meet the demands of creators and users of creative works of all types. Specifically, the Office seeks input on three areas of reform: (1) the administration and substance of the application for registration, (2) the utility of the public record, and (3) the deposit requirements for registration. As always, the Office is interested in the perspectives and suggestions of copyright owners as well as users of creative works.

 

The notice of inquiry and instructions on how to submit a comment are available here. Written comments must be received no later than January 15, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.

About A2IM:
A2IM is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization headquartered in New York City that exists to support and strengthen the independent recorded music sector. Membership currently includes a broad coalition of more than 700 Independently-owned American music labels. A2IM represents these independently owned small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. In doing so, it supports a key segment of America’s creative class that represents America’s diverse musical cultural heritage. Billboard Magazine identified the Independent music label sector as 37.32 percent of the music industry’s U.S. recorded music sales market in 2016 based on copyright ownership, making Independent labels collectively the largest music industry sector.

Learn more about A2IM here.
For information about how to join our community, see here.