Among the priorities for the Copyright Office will be looking into various ways to address the high cost of copyright infringement claims with the possibility of a small claims court solution. The Register of Copyrights, Maria Pallante, stated an examination of issues which arise in book digitization, illegal streaming, public performance in sound recordings, orphan works, and more.
Of course these issues will affect the public in ways that are, as of now, unforeseen but take a look at the list of priorities below, or the full report here, and don't forget to provide input by the deadlines listed!
STUDIES
Small Claims Solutions For Copyright Owners
Initial public comments are due January 16, 2012.
Anticipated publication date: October 2013. www.copyright.gov/docs/smallclaims
Legal Treatment Of Pre-1972 Sound Recordings
Publication date: December 2011.
www.copyright.gov/docs/sound
Mass Book Digitization
Publication date: October 2011. www.copyright.gov/docs/massdigitization
LEGISLATIVE WORK
Rogue Websites
Congress is exploring ways to provide more effective legal
tools to address online infringement of U.S. books, films, music,
and software, including infringement that originates overseas.
Illegal Streaming
Public Performance Right In Sound Recordings
Orphan Works - www.copyright.gov/orphan
Copyright Exceptions For Libraries
Market-Based Licensing For Cable And Satellite
Retransmission - www.copyright.gov/docs/section302
TRADE AND FOREIGN
RELATIONS
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Trans-Pacific Partnership And Other Trade Priorities
PRIORITIES IN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW PRACTICE
Prohibition On Circumvention Of Measures Controlling
Access To Copyrighted Works
Initial public comments on the current (de novo) rulemaking
process are due December 1, 2011. Reply comments will be due in February 2012
and hearings will be conducted in the spring of 2012. www.copyright.gov/1201
Electronic System For The Designation Of Agents Under
The DMCA
Initial public comments are due November 28, 2011, and reply
comments are due December 27, 2011.
Review Of Group Registration Options
The Office expects to announce various group registration
proposals in the first half of 2012.
Registration Options For Websites And Other Forms Of
Digital Authorship
The Office intends to engage in consultations with
stakeholders and seek public comment on possible solutions and decisions in
2012.
Electronic Administration Of The Statutory Licenses
Proposals will be published in 2012.
Recording Notices Of Termination Of Copyright
Transfers
The Office intends to seek public comment on additional
measures under section 203 that would provide parties with guidance in
determining when a Gap Grant was “executed” under the law during 2012.
www.copyright.gov/docs/termination
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Revision Of The Compendium Of Copyright Office
Practices
Anticipated publication date: October 2013. www.copyright.gov/compendium
Technical Upgrades To Electronic Registration
Dialogues And Roundtables With Copyright Community
Research Partnerships with Academic Community
The Office will begin seeking proposals in 2012.
Revision Of Copyright Office Website
Development work for the website will be a priority during
calendar year 2012 and will include opportunities for public comment.
Public Outreach And Copyright Education
The office has the goal implementing a series of new
education projects during 2012 and 2013.
Business Process Reengineering Of Recordation Division
Meetings will take place during an 18-month
period starting in November 2011 and will inform the Register’s strategic plan
for this important public service.
Public Access To Historical Records
The Copyright Office will also engage experts
through a specialized project blog beginning in November
Skills Training For Copyright Office Staff
