Cheated Artists Get New Forum: Copyright Claims Board Explained

Congress designed the Copyright Claims Board—signed into law in December—to be an affordable, streamlined alternative for infringed rightsowners such as photographers. The law requires the Copyright Office to set up the tribunal within 12 months, with an option to request a 180-day extension.

Opponents call the tribunal unconstitutional and say it will attract abuse from “copyright trolls,” or parties that make money more from aggressive litigation than through licensing works.

Proponents say plenty of safeguards underpin this boost for rightsholders, who complain their work is infringed with impunity online because high costs often make litigation impractical.

1. What’s the CCB’s ...