Jerry Nadler: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1695. This legislation would strengthen…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1695. This legislation would strengthen the Copyright Office and make it more accountable to Congress by turning the Register of Copyrights into a Senate-confirmed position. Since 2013, under the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers, the Judiciary Committee has undertaken a comprehensive review of the copyright laws and the Copyright Office. Over the course of 20 hearings with 100 witnesses, as well as listening sessions across the country, and individual meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, we have heard one consistent message: that the Copyright Office must be modernized to meet the needs of the public in the copyright community. This bill is an important first step in that process, and it is appropriate that we consider it today on World Intellectual Property Day when we recognize the tremendous contribution that intellectual property laws, including copyright, make to our economy and to our creativity. But maintaining this vibrant copyright ecosystem depends on having an effective Copyright Office to oversee it. Throughout the copyright review process, it became evident that the current structure of the Office has hindered its ability to serve the public and the copyright community effectively.…”