Copyright Office – Dunner Law PLLC

Jun 17 | 2022

A New, Affordable Way to Resolve Copyright Disputes

A new, streamlined alternative to federal court is now available to resolve copyright disputes involving claims up to $30,000. Established through the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2020, the Copyright Claims Board (CCB) is a three-person copyright…

Sep 27 | 2020

Filing Copyright Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Like many of us, the U.S. Copyright Office has been working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, statutory deadlines wait for no one, not even viruses. As a result, the Copyright Office has made temporary, optional changes and accommodations…

Jan 29 | 2020

Copyright Office to Clarify How to Determine Whether an Online Work is Considered Published for Registration Purposes

The U.S. Copyright Office seeks public comments to help the Copyright Office clarify what constitutes a “published” online work. Comments in response to the Notice of Inquiry Regarding Online Publication are due March 19, 2020. All works registered with…

Mar 28 | 2017

The Rise of Copyright Trolls

Unlike the well-known patent trolls, “copyright trolls” have received comparatively less attention in Congress and in the media. A copyright troll is a business with the principal purpose of enforcing copyrights for which it has only a limited ownership interest.…

Jan 13 | 2016

“Happy Birthday To You” and the Digital Black Hole

When independent filmmaker John Smith decided to make a documentary about the history of jazz in New Orleans, Louisiana, he never anticipated that his inability to track down the creators of the songs in the documentary would hinder its publication.…

Mar 03 | 2015

One Step Closer to a 21st Century Copyright Office – The House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Copyright Reform

On Thursday, February 26, 2015, Lisa Dunner, in her capacity as Chair of the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law, testified before the House Judiciary Committee at a hearing entitled “The U.S. Copyright Office: Its Functions and Resources.” As copyright…

Sep 22 | 2014

The Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices III – Bridging the Gap Between Copyright Law and Our Rapidly Evolving Digital Environment

Is a monkey selfie protectable under U.S. copyright law? What about murals painted by elephants? Thanks to the U.S. Copyright Office’s August 19, 2014 release of the public draft of the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition (“Compendium…