Non-profit copyright licensing solutions provider Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), US, has welcomed the announcement by the US Register of Copyrights, Maria Pallante, of her priorities for the next two years. Register of Copyrights Maria A. Pallante recently made public her office’s priorities and special projects through October, 2013. The paper articulates 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.
Copyright industries are seen to be a critical part of the US and global economies. Advances in technology are accelerating options for creating, distributing, consuming, sharing and preserving content while globally, laws have not kept pace with technology advances. For more than 20 years, the important principle of copyright which protects the work of authors and creators has faced increasing turmoil. Technology has driven other developments such as eBooks and the growth of "user-generated" content in the digital environment.
It is felt that there is an urgent need for legislative solutions to address the most challenging copyright issues. These include issues ranging from clarifying the use of Orphan Works to streamlining registration for groups of copyrighted works to addressing mass digitisation of books.
CCC actively engages both the Register and her staff on issues such as orphan works, mass digitisation of content, effects of different copyright rules around the world and the promotion of licensing as a solution for the needs of both copyright users and rightsholders.
