Copyright Claims Board: Representation by Law Students and of Business Entities

Pursuant to the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2020, and after soliciting public comments, the U.S. Copyright Office has published a final rule addressing representation of parties by qualified law students and representation of business entities by authorized individuals in proceedings before the Copyright Claims Board (CCB).


The final rule expands the scope of law student participation by providing law clinics more discretion regarding law student qualifications. Law students may participate before the CCB through law school clinics and pro bono legal services organizations connected to the student’s law school.


The final rule also adopts regulations permitting in-house attorneys, fiduciaries, and specifically authorized employees to represent business entities before the CCB. The final rule clarifies that a business entity’s representative may submit a single valid certification that will remain effective throughout a proceeding.