Electronic System for Designating Agents under DMCA Launched Today
Issue No. 642 - December 1, 2016


Today, the U.S. Copyright Office launched its new electronic system to designate and search for agents to receive notifications of claimed infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The final rule implementing the new system and governing what is required of service providers to designate an agent also comes into effect today.


As previously announced, as of today, all new designations must now be made through the online registration system. Additionally, any service provider that has previously designated an agent with the Office through the old paper-based system will have until December 31, 2017, to submit a new designation electronically through the new system. Until that time, an accurate designation in the old paper-generated directory will continue to satisfy the service provider’s obligations under section 512(c)(2), and the public will need to continue to search the paper-generated directory if the service provider is not yet listed in the new electronically generated directory.


For more information, please visit the home page for the new directory and registration system, here. From this page, users can access both the old and new directories, create or log in to a registration account, review the new regulations, watch video tutorials demonstrating how to use the new system, read answers to frequently asked questions about the new rule and electronic system, or contact the Office with any questions.