Cline Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Streamline Copyright Registration for Photographers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06), alongside Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), introduced the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act (VACRA), bipartisan legislation aimed at making copyright registration more affordable and accessible for photographers and small businesses who register large volumes of their work.

The legislation would modernize the copyright registration process at the U.S. Copyright Office, making it more affordable and efficient for visual artists who need to register large volumes of their work. By reducing unnecessary costs and administrative burdens, VACRA would help small businesses protect their intellectual property while spending more time doing what they do best.

Quote Attributable to Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06):

“Photographers deserve a straightforward, affordable way to protect the work they produce,” said Rep. Cline. “The current copyright registration process can be costly and burdensome, particularly for small businesses who create and register work in large volumes. This legislation would help modernize that process, strengthen protections for creators, and ensure they have the tools they need to safeguard their work and continue contributing to our economy and culture.”

Quote Attributable to Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37):

“Photographers and visual artists are vital to our creative world,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “I am proud to partner with Rep. Cline on these commonsense reforms to copyright law to allow for a more complete public registry of their integral works. This would ensure that photographers and all visual artists are full and effective participants in our copyright system. I’m proud to represent a vibrant district at the heart of America’s creative and entertainment economy and advance policies that protect creative rights.”

Quote Attributable to Angela Kurkian, CEO, Professional Photographers of America:
“PPA thanks Representatives Ben Cline and Sydney Kamlager-Dove for their leadership, for introducing The Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act (VACRA) in the House, and we are proud to stand with our coalition partners in support of this important reform. When creators can meaningfully protect their work, they can continue creating,” said Angela Kurkian.

Quote Attributable to Thomas Maddrey, CEO, American Society of Media Photographers:
“The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) celebrates the leadership shown by Rep. Cline and Rep. Kamlager-Dove in introducing VACRA. This bill is designed to help the smallest of small businesses, which form the core engine powering our creative ecosystem. By introducing VACRA, Reps. Cline and Kamlager-Dove demonstrate their support for our photographers, artists, and all visual creators, and we thank them,” said Thomas Maddrey.

Quote Attributable to Melanie Porter, COO, ASMP, North American Nature Photography Association:

“Photography brings the beauty of the natural world to all communities. Through their introduction of VACRA, Reps. Cline and Kamlager-Dove show that breaking down barriers preventing visual artists from protecting their works and livelihoods is important and valuable. The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) applauds the support shown to our creative communities nationwide and thanks Reps. Cline and Kamlager-Dove for making this announcement. It would directly affect our 7,500+ Members of ASMP & NANPA and the millions of other visual creators across the country,” said Melanie Porter.

Quote Attributable to Alex Garcia, President, National Press Photographers Association:

“The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) strongly supports the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act and thanks Representatives Ben Cline and Sydney Kamlager-Dove for their bipartisan leadership. Visual journalists routinely create thousands of images while documenting events of public importance, yet the cost and complexity of copyright registration can make protecting that work impractical. VACRA would modernize registration to better reflect how photographers work, helping them protect their livelihoods and sustain the visual journalism that informs our communities,” said Alex Garcia.

Quote Attributable to Stephanie Hayes, Executive Director, School Photographers of America:
“School Photographers of America supports VACRA and its goal of making copyright protection more accessible and practical for professional photographers. School photography companies create enormous volumes of images while relying primarily on families’ voluntary purchases, making workable copyright registration options especially important to our industry. We are grateful to the bill’s sponsors and Professional Photographers of America for advancing this effort and recognizing the needs of high-volume creators,” said Stephanie Hayes.

Read the full bill text: HERE

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