American Photographic Artists National
Mon 03rd Apr, 2017
Last week, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) introduced the H.R. 1695, The Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act
The bill passed out of the Judiciary Committee in a nearly unanimous 27 to 1 vote! It will now go to the full House of Represenatives for a vote.
The bill would elevate the Register of Copyrights (previously held by Maria Pallante) to a position appointed by the President with the Advice and Consent of the Senate. We believe this will provide a more transparent and accountable selection process. The Copyright Office has been operating without a permanent Register since last October. It is urgent that this issue is addressed so efforts to modernize the Copyright Office can move forward.
It is vital that Congress hears from creators about the importance of this issue. APA and organizations representing creators from across the spectrum of the creative community have already voiced their support. Take Action here through our partners at the Copyright Alliance http://copyrightalliance.org/get-involved/add-your-voice/ The vote is due to happen this week or next.
Here are the members of Congress (members of the Judiciary Committee) who voted for this bill and have shown their support for the creative communities:
Rep. Karen Bass, D, CA-37 Rep. Steve Cohen, D, TN-09 Rep. John Conyers Jr., D, MI-13 Rep. Ted Deutch, D, FL-22 Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D, TX-18 Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D, WA-07 Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D, NY-08 Rep. Ted Lieu, D, CA-33 Rep. Jerry Nadler, D, NY-10 Rep. Jamie Raskin, D, MD-08 Rep. Brad Schneider, D, IL-10 Rep. Eric Swalwell, D, CA-15 Rep. Andy Biggs, R, AZ-05 Rep. Ken Buck, R, CO-04 Rep. Doug Collins, R, GA-09 Rep. Ron DeSantis, R, FL-06 Rep. Blake Farenthold, R, TX-27 Rep. Trent Franks, R, AZ-08 Rep. Louie Gohmert, R, TX-01 Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R, VA-06 Rep. Trey Gowdy, R, SC-04 Rep. Darrell Issa, R, CA-49 Rep. Mike Johnson, R, LA-04 Rep. Jim Jordan, R, OH-04 Rep. Raul Labrador, R, ID-01 Rep. Ted Poe, R, TX-02 Rep. John Ratcliffe, R, TX-04 For more information contact Michael Grecco advocacy@apanational.org
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