The Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP) and the Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, invite you to a panel discussion on the CASE Act.
The CASE Act: Why Creators Need a Small Claims Tribunal
Thursday
November 14, 2019
4:45 – 6:00 PM
Antonin Scalia Law School
George Mason University
3301 Fairfax Drive
Hazel Hall, Room 221
Arlington, Virginia
The event is free and open to the public. Please register in advance by emailing Kristina Pietro at kpietro@gmu.edu by 5:00 PM on Monday, November 11. Food will be provided.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Copyright Alternative Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act) would create a tribunal within the U.S. Copyright Office to hear small copyright claims. The federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over copyright cases, and the cost of bringing a federal lawsuit makes it difficult for many individuals or small businesses to sue for copyright infringement. The CASE Act would provide a cheaper and simpler alternative to resolve such claims, allowing copyright owners to sue without the need to hire an attorney. The bill would also create a cost-effective way for users of copyrighted works to fight back when challenged if they believe their use is noninfringing.
The CASE Act has broad bipartisan support, and it was passed by the House in a sweeping 410-6 vote on October 22, 2019. The bill heads next to the Senate, where two Senators have placed a hold on the bill that will make it more difficult to pass. While many artist advocacy groups, such as Copyright Alliance, American Society of Media Photographers, and Authors Guild, have applauded the CASE Act’s provision of remedies for disenfranchised copyright owners, other groups, such as Electronic Frontier Foundation, Re:Create Coalition, and Public Knowledge, have condemned the bill as an assault on civil liberties that will potentially bankrupt average Americans.
This panel features three leading experts who have each played an important role in advocating for the CASE Act. They will discuss the substance and history of the CASE Act, its prospect for being passed by the Senate, and what it means for individuals and small businesses who have welcomed the meaningful copyright protection that the bill would provide.
EVENT AGENDA
4:45 – 5:00 PM Welcome Reception
5:00 – 6:00 PM Panel Discussion
- Prof. Sandra Aistars, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, Director of Copyright Research and Policy & Senior Scholar, Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property
- Terrica Carrington, Copyright Counsel, Copyright Alliance
- Tom Kennedy, Executive Director, American Society of Media Photographers
- Moderator: Prof. Devlin Hartline, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, Director of Communications, Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property