The U.S. Copyright Office states that the new Copyright Claims Board (CCB) will be available to hear claims by December 27, 2021.[1]
The CCB will serve as a nationwide “small claims court” for copyright infringement lawsuits claiming no more than $30,000 in damages. The CCB will not replace federal district courts, which means copyright owners will still be able to bring such “small claims” copyright infringement lawsuits before federal courts. Complainants will not be required to bring claims to the CCB instead of federal courts, and Respondents who are served a claim can opt out of the CCB’s jurisdiction.
However, the Copyright Office intends to create streamlined procedures that would make the CCB a less expensive venue for litigation than a federal district court.