Last Updated on 07/16/2019 by Mark Beckenbach
The American Photographic Artists (APA) encourages photographers to add their voice to the CASE Act advocacy for an alternative to filing expensive copyright claims.
Photographers are frequent victims of copyright infringement cases, but we are also no strangers to the fact that pursuing legal action can get complicated and expensive. The American Photographic Artists (APA) seeks to help address this with our support for the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019, better known as the CASE Act. The aim is of this bill is to create a copyright small claims board within the US Copyright Office.
Editor’s Note of Transparency: Editor in Chief Chris Gampat is the Vice Chairman of APA NY. Joining brings you a number of great benefits.
In their recent advocacy statement, APA mentioned they’ve been working closely with visual associations, writer associations, and the Copyright Alliance in support of the CASE Act. This legislation, they noted, will provide an alternative to the costly filing of copyright claims in federal court. It will be instrumental in the creation of a Copyright Claims Board, which will allow recovery in cases with up to $30,000 total damages, with a $15,000 cap in statutory damages per infringed work.
“Support for the bill is bipartisan and over 40 Congressional Representatives have already Co-Sponsored the House bill. But it’s not done yet. There has not been a vote,” APA stressed in their call for support. “It’s vital that legislators on both the House and the Senate hear directly from creators about the importance of this issue. Letters received this week and next will make a difference.”
A Senate hearing on the CASE Act is slated for July 18th at 10 A.M., so APA is now encouraging US photographers to urge their elected officials to support and co-sponsor the House Bill H.R. 2426 and Senate Bill S. 1273. The Copyright Alliance has already prepared a letter (click on”Take Action”) which they can send on your behalf. California residents can also provide their signatures for the additional letter of support that will be sent to Senator Feinstein and Senator Harris.