Eye on IP

Vol. No. 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011

U.S. Copyright Office Outlines Priorities—Technology High on the List

Register of Copyrights Maria A. Pallante recently published her office's priorities and special projects through October, 2013. The paper outlines 17 priorities in the areas of copyright policy and administrative practice, as well as 10 new projects designed to improve the quality and efficiency of the U.S. Copyright Office's services in the 21st century.

According to the U.S. Copyright Office's press release, "Rogue websites, illegal streaming, small claims, orphan works and library preservation are among the issues the Copyright Office will focus on through research and legislative support for Congress."

The office also indicates that the administrative practice of the Copyright Office will be particularly active during the next two years, stating: "The office has launched the fifth triennial rulemaking involving the anti-circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and will spend significant time considering and resolving regulatory issues affecting the copyrightability and registration of websites and other forms of digital authorship."

While the future aims of the Copyright office are wide-ranging, many are designed to address advances in technology that continue to impact the area of copyright law. Below are several areas to be addressed over the next several years.

• Mass book digitization
• Rogue websites
• Illegal streaming
• Market-based licensing for cable and satellite transmissions
• Registration options for websites and other forms of digital authorship
• Electronic administration of the statutory licenses
• Technical upgrades to electronic registration
• Revision of copyright office website
• Public access to historical records

The entire paper is available at www.copyright.gov/docs/priorities.pdf.

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