Ex Parte Communications
Guidelines
In its October 26, 2017 notice of proposed rulemaking, the Copyright Office indicated that it would consider requests from interested non-governmental participants for informal communications with the Office during the post-hearing phase of this proceeding, to discuss targeted issues related to the merits of the rulemaking. To ensure that such communications are governed by transparent and consistent procedures, the Office is issuing the following guidelines:
- Ex parte meetings with the Office are intended to provide an opportunity for participants to clarify evidence and/or arguments made in prior written submissions or public hearing statements, and to respond to questions from the Office on those matters. The Office will not consider or accept new documentary materials outside the rulemaking record.
- Within two business days after the meeting, the attendees must email the Office (using the above email addresses) a letter detailing the information identified in paragraph 1 and summarizing the discussion at the meeting. The letter must summarize the substance of the views expressed and arguments made in such a way that a non-participating party will understand the scope of issues discussed; merely listing the subjects discussed or providing a 1-2 sentence description will not be sufficient. These letters will be made publicly available on the Copyright Office’s website.
- To ensure compliance with the statutory deadline, all ex parte meetings in this proceeding must take place no later than Friday, September 7, 2018. The Office will not consider requests to hold meetings after that date.
Ex Parte Letters
Class 2: Audiovisual works – accessibility
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Class 3: Audiovisual works – space-shifting |
Class 6: Computer programs – jailbreaking
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Class 7: Computer programs – repair
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Class 11: Computer programs – avionics |