Statement: Introduction of Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act

Statement by David Chavern, News Media Alliance President & CEO

“We are pleased by yesterday’s bipartisan introduction of the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act, which would establish a Copyright Register who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.  We applaud the leadership of House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) for their introduction, and for the Chairman’s dedication over the past several years collecting information on how to improve the functionality of the Copyright Office, culminating in this legislation that would immediately stabilize the role of the Register.  The important position of Copyright Register impacts our members’ news media content, which must be protected by our copyright laws that are enacted by Congress pursuant to the United States Constitution.  Our hope is that this is the first of many proposals to reform laws and regulations so as to better reward the creators of high quality content that voters and consumers rely upon.”