CASE Act Study

Pursuant to the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2020, the U.S. Copyright Office published a report on the Copyright Claims Board (CCB).


Background

Established by the CASE Act, the CCB is a voluntary forum for parties seeking resolution of certain copyright disputes that have a total monetary value of $30,000 or less. In advance of the CCB’s launch on June 16, 2022, the Office promulgated rulemakings pertaining to CCB processes and procedures, hired the CCB’s staff, built an electronic filing and case management system, and facilitated other operational essentials.


The CASE Act also directed the Register of Copyrights to conduct a study on the CCB, to be submitted no later than three years after issuing its first determination. The CCB issued its first determination on February 15, 2023.


On March 10, 2025, the Office published a notice of inquiry initiating this study. Initial comments were due May 9, 2025, and reply comments were due June 23, 2025. The Office received twenty-three comments from stakeholders.


Overview of Conclusions and Recommendations

Since its launch in June 2022, the CCB has been successful in resolving disputes, facilitating settlements, and aiding members of the public. It has enhanced the value of copyrights and confidence in the U.S. copyright system by providing a forum for those who otherwise could not practically enforce their rights in federal court.


Drawing on the experience of the Copyright Office and the CCB in administering this new and unprecedented tribunal, as well as the public comments submitted in response to the Office’s March 2025 notice of inquiry, the report recommends several modifications to the CASE Act. Those modifications relate primarily to shortening and simplifying the process, including compliance review and service of process.


The Office will continue to work with the CCB to explore other ways to improve its operations, such as through changes to its regulations, internal policies and procedures, and materials and resources offered to the public.