Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017

In a largely bi-partisan vote, the US House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1695, the “Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017.”  The Bill was introduced by Judiciary Committee Chair Bob Goodlatte (R-Va), and co-sponsored by Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich), among others.  The 378-48 vote included 46 Democratic Nays.  It is unclear whether the Bill will move forward in the Senate.

The proposal simply makes a structural change to the United States Copyright Office appointment process. Since 1897, the Register of Copyrights has been hired by the Librarian of Congress.  The proposal provides for Presidential appointment of the Reigster of Copyright, with advice and consent of the Senate. The position would be largely independent: having a ten-year renewable term with removal only for cause.

According to the Judiciary Committee Report: “The legislation ensures that all future Registers are chosen through this public process and also resolves constitutional concerns regarding the authority of regulations promulgated by the U.S. Copyright Office.”

Read the Bill

 

 

2 thoughts on “Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017

  1. 2

    RECOGNICORP, LLC V. NINTENDO CO., LTD
    link to cafc.uscourts.gov

    Held Abstract for being directed to method of encoding and decoding image data, the display inputs and output being conventional pre-solution and post solution activity:

    1. A method for creating a composite image, comprising:

    displaying facial feature images on a first area of
    a first display via a first device associated
    with the first display, wherein the facial feature
    images are associated with facial feature
    element codes;

    selecting a facial feature image from the first area
    of the first display via a user interface associated
    with the first device, wherein the first
    device incorporates the selected facial feature
    image into a composite image on a second area
    of the first display, wherein the composite image
    is associated with a composite facial image
    code having at least a facial feature
    element code and wherein the composite facial
    image code is derived by performing at least
    one multiplication operation on a facial code
    using one or more code factors as input parameters
    to the multiplication operation; and

    reproducing the composite image on a second display
    based on the composite facial image code.

  2. 1

    “also resolves constitutional concerns regarding the authority of regulations promulgated by the U.S. Copyright Office.”

    A non-confirmed appointee (e.g., employee) can not issue regulations? I mean, must are issued, but must they necessarily?

    Genuine curiosity. Thanks for any feedback.

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