Congress Introduces First Post-Obama Copyright Review Policy Proposal

Last week, members of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee introduced their first of many upcoming policy proposals aimed at modernizing U.S. copyright law, and, specifically, the U.S. Copyright Office. This proposal sets out specific changes for the Copyright Office, including creating an advisory committee, introducing an information technology modernization plan, increasing the Office's autonomy over the Library of Congress, and improving and maintaining the Office's searchable databases of copyright information.  The proposal also outlines additional administrative reforms, such as providing the Copyright Office with increased control over its budget and technology, implementing a nomination and consent process for the register of copyrights, and increasing the number of register advisory positions.  Particularly of note is the proposal's suggestion that the Office implement a "small-claims system" to handle small infringement cases and bad faith