Fixing Copyright? The 2013-2016 Copyright Review Process

In March 2013, Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante issued a call to Congress for a thorough review of existing copyright law—a process that she hoped would result in what she dubbed "The Next Great Copyright Act." The House Judiciary Committee has responded by convening a series of hearings on various aspects of the law, ranging from the general (like "The Scope of Copyright Protection") to the particular (like "Section 512 of Title 17"). Other government agencies have gotten involved in the process as well, including the Department of Commerce, the Patent and Trademark Office, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which are holding a series of public meetings on copyright issues, and trying to spur a “multistakeholder dialogue” on the notice-and-takedown procedure outlined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. EFF is documenting the process as it unfolds, and intervening where we can to protect the public interest. It may be convenient for lawmakers to frame copyright as a battle between tech giants and Hollywood studios, but that's not the whole story. Copyright law affects all of us, in myriad ways. We need to make sure that Internet users, bloggers, technologists, marginalized communities, startups, and more have a chance to share their views and experiences. Watch this space to stay up-to-date and learn about how you can help us make sure the “copyright review” doesn’t become an excuse to further undermine your right to tinker, make, use, read and express yourself.

Protect digital privacy and free expression. EFF's public interest legal work, activism, and software development preserve fundamental rights. Protect digital privacy and free expression. EFF's public interest legal work, activism, and software development preserve fundamental rights. DONATE TO EFF

EFF Related Content: Fixing Copyright? The 2013-2016 Copyright Review Process

Press Release | April 19, 2021

Video Hearings Tuesday and Wednesday: EFF Will Tell Copyright Office That Consumers Should Have the Freedom to Fix, Modify Digital Devices They Own

San Francisco—On Tuesday, April 20, and Wednesday, April 21, experts from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) fighting copyright abuse will testify at virtual hearings held by the Copyright Office in favor of exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) so people who have purchased digital devices—from cameras and... ●Read more about Video Hearings Tuesday and Wednesday: EFF Will Tell Copyright Office That Consumers Should Have the Freedom to Fix, Modify Digital Devices They Own

Deeplinks Blog by Kerry Sheehan | May 24, 2017

Book Review: The End of Ownership

In the digital age, a lot depends on whether we actually own our stuff, and who gets to decide that in the first place. InThe End of Ownership: Personal Property in the Digital Age, Aaron Perzanowski and Jason Schultz walk us through a detailed and highly... ●Read more about Book Review: The End of Ownership

Deeplinks Blog by Kerry Sheehan | April 26, 2017

Register of Copyrights Bill Passes the House, We’re Gearing Up to Fight it in the Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 378 to 48 to pass a controversial bill that would make the Register of Copyrights a presidential appointee. H.R. 1695, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017, will effectively strip the Librarian of Congress of oversight over the Register, and... ●Read more about Register of Copyrights Bill Passes the House, We’re Gearing Up to Fight it in the Senate

Deeplinks Blog by Kerry Sheehan | March 27, 2017

Let’s Make The Copyright Office Less Political, Not More

After three years of discussing changes to copyright law, Congress’s first bill is a strange one. House and Senate Judiciary Committee leaders have introduced a bill that would radically change the way the Register of Copyrights is picked – taking the process out of the hands of the Librarian... ●Read more about Let’s Make The Copyright Office Less Political, Not More