US Congress passed the law establishing the Copyright Claims Board in 2020. The board aims to create a cheaper and quicker way for creators to resolve copyright disputes. Public-interest groups fear the board could give so-called copyright trolls a new way to target artists, internet users.
The US Copyright Claims Board opening Thursday for low-dollar disputes has the potential to have a huge—and unpredictable—impact on the copyright landscape.
The range of possible outcomes is vast given the novelty of the litigation alternative designed to be cheap, streamlined, remote, and navigable without an attorney. Unknowns include how many and who will make use of the voluntary system, its capacity and efficiency, and whether it might advance a broader public understanding and appreciation of creator rights and fair use.
The CCB was conceived as a remedy for photographers, artists, and other creators seeking modest sums for whom the costs of federal lawsuits—$400 to start, and generally at least tens of thousands to finish—aren’t realistic. Filing at the CCB will cost $150, and damages are capped at $15,000 per work and $30,000 per case.
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