Introduction of Public Domain Enhancement Act

Reps. Lofgren and Doolittle Announce the Public Domain Enhancement Act to Address the Need for Copyright Reform. From the press release of June 25:

  • Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose, CA) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-Rocklin, CA) introduced the Public Domain Enhancement Act, addressing the need to reform copyright laws identified in the recent Supreme Court decision of Eldred v. Ashcroft. The Public Domain Enhancement Act offers American copyright owners with continuing interest in works an easy way to maintain their copyrights while allowing abandoned works to enter the public domain. It requires that American copyright owners pay a simple $1 fee to maintain their copyrights 50 years after publication. If the owner fails to pay the $1 fee, the copyright expires and the work enters the public domain. In addition, copyright owners are required to submit a form identifying the copyright holder to facilitate proper licensing of copyrighted works.”
  • Text of the bill in pdf (H.R. 2601)
  • Reclaim the Public Domain Petition
  • E-Mail alert from American Assocation of Law Libraries (AALL)
  • ALA Public Domain Enhancement Act webpage

    • LinkedIn
    Posted in: Copyright, Legislation
    ➤