Library Copyright Alliance Shares Comments About U.S. Copyright Office Reform, New Register of Copyrights

The Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) has released responses/answers re: the next Register of Copyrights and reform of the re: U.S. Copyright Office. LCA consists of ALA, ARL, and ACRL.
1. Responses to Survey re: expertise needed by next Register of Copyrights (1 page; PDF).
Here’s one question and response:

What should be the top three priorities for the Register of Copyrights?  
• Upgrade the information technology consistent with the overall strategy and systems of the Library of Congress.
• Improve efficiency of registration and ensure transparency and access to information about copyright holders in fulfillment of its primary mission.
• Promoting a copyright perspective on policy issues that reflects the diverse range of stakeholders.

Direct to All Three Responses

2. Library Copyright Alliance Comments on White Paper on Reform Of The Copyright Office  (2 pages; PDF)
From the Document:

…we disagree that statutory reform of the Copyright Office is necessary to accomplish these objectives. Indeed, pursuing the statutory changes the White Paper proposes may actually delay ongoing efforts to modernize the Office and its technology systems. Over the past twenty years, the Copyright Office has failed to take full advantage of new technologies to keep pace with the growing demands of its users. This failure has many causes, including lack of financial resources, lack of technical expertise, and lack of sufficient attention from the leadership of the Office and the Library. There is no reason to believe that greater autonomy for the Office will resolve these problems. To the contrary, these problems suggest that the Office still requires supervision, provided that it is the right kind of supervision. There now is new leadership at the Library with the experience and commitment to manage significant technological improvements throughout the Library. The Office would benefit greatly from this new leadership team.

Direct to Complete Document
See Also: Online Survey Posted: Librarian of Congress Seeks Input on Expertise Needed by Register of Copyrights (December 16, 2016)
See Also: U.S. House Judiciary Committee Releases Copyright Reform Policy Proposal “Granting Autonomy with Respect to Library of Congress” (December 8, 2016)
See Also: Creative Commons Shares Response to LC’s “Expertise Needed by the Register of Copyrights” Survey (January 27, 2016)

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