Legislation Proposes "Preregistration" of Works Being Prepared for Commercial Distribution

The "Artists' Rights and Theft Prevention Act of 2005" was passed by the U.S. Senate on February 1, 2005 as part of S. 167 and a corresponding bill, H. 357, is now before the House Judiciary and Administration committees. If passed by the full House and signed by the President, this legislation would amend 17 U.S.C. §§411-412 of the Copyright Act to allow an action for infringement of "preregistered works" being prepared for comercial distribution.