Third Way Statement on Legislation to Modernize the Copyright Office

WASHINGTON—Third Way released the following statement from Gabe Horwitz, Vice President for the Economic Program:

"In a time of unprecedented economic change, we need to ensure that our government institutions are keeping up—not holding us back. That is why we were pleased to see the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (H.R. 1695), which would start to modernize the Copyright Office, pass out of the House Judiciary Committee last week by a vote of 27-1. As Third Way has previously written, the core copyright industries—those primarily engaged in creating, producing, distributing, and exhibiting copyrighted works—now contribute more than $1.2 trillion to the country’s GDP and employ 5.5 million people. But problems with its antiquated registration and record systems, as well as multiple priorities and scarce resources at the Library of Congress where it is housed, continue to hold the Copyright Office back. This bill is an important first step to bring the Copyright Office into the 21st century and promote creativity, innovation, investment, and jobs."