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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Senate bill targets cheaper, faster copyright registration for photographers and visual artists

Also known as: VACRA

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(2)
Small Business Owner
Helps
Gig Worker
Helps

Key Points

  • Artists and photographers would no longer have to mail in a “best copy” of their work to meet deposit rules; digital copies would be enough.
  • Photographers could register up to 3,000 photos at once with one application and one fee, even if the photos were made or shared on different dates.
  • New certified private photo registries could store photos and key info (who owns it, contact info, dates) in a free-to-search database to help people find the real owner.
  • Artists could do “deferred” registration: pay a smaller fee now (up to half price) to lock in the registration date, and do the deeper review later if needed.
  • The Copyright Office would be pushed to build a modern, easy online system that can connect with common creator software, plus offer reduced fees for individuals and small businesses.
Consumer ProtectionSmall BusinessTechnologyData PrivacyTrade

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law, likely months to a year depending on rulemaking and tech work

Copyright Office sets up a certification program for third-party photo registries.

Photographers may be able to deposit photos into certified registries that must be searchable for free and must keep ownership/contact info up to date.

After implementing regulations are issued

New group registration option for up to 3,000 photos becomes available once regulations are updated.

Photographers could register large shoots with one application and one fee, reducing paperwork and making enforcement more realistic.

After the Copyright Office updates its fee rules and publishes the new rates

Reduced-fee rules for individual authors and small businesses take effect through updated fee schedules.

Independent creators and small studios may pay less to register their work, making it easier to protect their income from copying.

Related News

4 articles
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)·3 months ago

PRESS RELEASE: ASMP Applauds Introduction of the New Copyright Modernization Bill VACRA

ASMP backs the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act (VACRA), highlighting group registration expansion, deferred registrations, subscription models, and third‑party registries to simplify copyright registration for visual creators.

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IPWatchdog·2 months ago

Senators Introduce Bill to Make Copyright Registration Easier for Visual Artists

Covers VACRA’s key provisions: raising group photo registration limits (to 3,000), deferred examination/registration, subscription-style registration, and approved private third‑party registries for electronic deposits.

CR=
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (News Release)·2 months ago

PRESS RELEASE: Blackburn, Welch Introduce Legislation to Empower Visual Artists to Protect Their Work

Announcement of VACRA with details on modernizing registration for high‑volume visual artists, including a single application for up to 3,000 photographs and a deferred registration option.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

VACRA

Bill NumberS 3517
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.