So, a few things happened in copyright this week.
The Music Modernization Act: An Industry Speaking With One Voice (Guest Column) — On Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 1551, the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act, meaning the bill just needs the president’s signature to become law. In this piece, RIAA’s Mitch Glazier reflects on how the community overcame the many challenges facing the pivotal reform.
Why US creators urgently need Congress to support the CASE Act — Also this week, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider H.R. 3945, the CASE Act, which would create a copyright small claims process as a quicker and more cost effective alternative to federal litigation. Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-AFTRA, writes in support of the bill.
Also this week: Senate Rules Committee held a hearing on the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act; the House passed the Marrakesh Treaty Implementing Legislation; and Nadler, Hatch, Leahy, and Collins introduced the ART Act, which would establish a resale royalty right for certain visual artists.
Copyright Act needs update for 21st century — A look at copyright reform efforts in New Zealand. “We often hear advocates for the fair use approach claiming a connection between fair use and innovation. Interesting. This suggests that, because New Zealand doesn’t have fair use, we’re not a country of innovators, which is simply not true. A connection between fair use and innovation is tenuous at best and disingenuous at worst. If you hear it during the debate that takes place around the review of our laws, ask yourself ‘who’s looking to benefit?’. The answer won’t be a creator.”
EU questioning companies over Amazon copycat products: report — File under “Internet platforms empower users”: “European regulators probing Amazon over antitrust concerns are reportedly asking smaller merchants whether the internet giant has been copying their products and selling them under its own brand.”