We’re getting closer to the implementation of a copyright small claims board! The Copyright Office has published resources on the CASE Act and the creation of the copyright claims board (CCB). For visual artists who have been waiting for a long time for an affordable means for them to pursue copyright infringers, the resource page is an exciting sign of progress.

The page provides vital facts on CCB. Monetary damages will be capped at $30,000, the process will be voluntary, and decisions will be posted online with limited review possible. The benefits of this are the procedure will be user-friendly and streamlined, there will be safeguards against fraudulent claims, and the officers will be copyright experts. The Office also gives some insight into the operations and procedures that need to be developed, such as how claims will be filed, the fees claimants will have to pay, and how respondents can opt-out.

The Copyright Office has already issued a notice of inquiry, asking for stakeholders to weigh in on CCB procedures. They anticipate that the CCB will be operational as early as the end of 2021.