VACRA
Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would modernize copyright registration for visual artists by creating certified third‑party photo registries, group and deferred registration options, and new fee and subscription choices to make registration faster and cheaper for creators.
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- Photographers and visual artists would be able to register large sets of works in one filing. A single group registration could cover up to 3,000 photographs and deferred registration would let applicants lock in an effective registration date when they submit materials.
- Third‑party registries would be certified by the Register of Copyrights and must collect basic metadata like author name, owner, contact, creation date, first upload date, and title. Those registries must offer a free searchable database, allow timely transfer of copies, and enable interactive data exchange with the Copyright Office. A deposit in a certified registry would count as the statutory deposit.
- The bill would change fees and access. Deferred registration fees would be capped at no more than one‑half the standard fee. The Copyright Office would create yearly and periodic subscription registrations and must consider affordability and reduced fees for individual authors and small businesses, with key rulemaking due in 180 days.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier group photo registrations
This bill would let a single author register a group of photographs with one application and one fee. The initial group limit would be 3,000 works and the rules could later allow larger groups. For pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works you would submit one complete electronic copy for deposit and the law would no longer require a separate “best edition” deposit. The Copyright Office would also treat electronic deposits as part of its permanent retention rules.
Certified third-party photo registries
This bill would require the Register to certify third-party photo registries and set rules for them. Certified registries would keep your photo copies and key metadata for the life of copyright and must offer a free searchable database. Depositing photos in a certified registry would count as meeting the Copyright Office deposit requirement unless the Office already has the required public-facing interface. You could also ask a registry to transfer your files and data to another certified registry.
Lower fees and subscription options
This bill would cap the deferred registration filing fee at no more than half the standard filing fee. The Register would have to consider affordability for professional creators and offer reduced fees for individual authors and small businesses. The Register would also set up yearly and periodic registration subscriptions within 180 days so that valid subscribers would not pay per-application fees during their subscription term.
New deferred registration option
This bill would create a deferred registration process for pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works. The Register would have 180 days to write rules. The date you submit your application and deposit would count as your registration date, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection could treat a pending deferred application like a registration for enforcement. You could later request full examination by paying the usual fee.
Public interface for creator software
This bill would require the Copyright Office to build a public-facing interface that works with creators' software. The interface would let deposit files and metadata be sent automatically into online registration forms. That would save time and cut manual steps for professional creators and software vendors.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Cosponsors
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov