Blackburn seeks improved copyright protections for musicians, artists

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) recently joined as a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation to establish small claims copyright courts to protect independent musicians and artists from the unauthorized reproduction of their works.

The Support the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2019, S. 1273, sponsored on May 1 by U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), would amend Title 17 of the United States Code to establish an alternative dispute resolution program for copyright small claims, according to the text of the bill.

“I am elated to be signing onto such important legislation and thank Senator Kennedy for his leadership on this issue,” Sen. Blackburn said.

If enacted, S. 1273 would create a Copyright Claims Board (CCB) within the U.S. Copyright Office that had jurisdiction limited to civil copyright cases with a cap of $30,000 in damages, according to a summary of the bill provided by Sen. Blackburn’s office.

The CCB’s panel of three claims officers would adjudicate and settle copyright claims, according to the summary, which noted that the proceedings would not require the parties to appear in-person and would permit claimants and respondents to proceed without an attorney.

Additionally, participation in the CCB would be voluntary and respondents could opt-out of the proceedings, the summary said.

“Nashville is home to some of the most talented creators in the music industry,” said Sen. Blackburn. “These artists need to know that their masterful work is protected through intellectual property laws and that copyright courts will provide simple, quick and affordable means to address infringement.”

Among the cosponsors joining Sen. Blackburn in supporting S. 1273 are U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL).