2026-10604: Group Registration of Updates to a News Website

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 31684] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-10604] [[Page 31684]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Copyright Office 37 CFR Part 202 [Docket No. 2026-5] Group Registration of Updates to a News Website

Agency

U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

Action

Notice of proposed rulemaking. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

The U.S. Copyright Office is proposing to amend its regulation governing the group registration option for news websites. This update revises the definition of a ``news website'' to clarify the works eligible for the option. The Office invites comment on this proposal.

Dates

Written comments on the proposed rule must be received by the U.S. Copyright Office no later than June 29, 2026.

Addresses

For reasons of government efficiency, the Copyright Office is using the regulations.gov system for the submission and posting of public comments in this proceeding. All comments should be submitted electronically through regulations.gov. Specific instructions for submitting comments are available on the Copyright Office website at https://copyright.gov/rulemaking/newswebsite-amendment/. If electronic submission of comments is not feasible due to lack of access to a computer or the internet, please contact the Office using the contact information below for special instructions.

For Further Information Contact

Rhea Efthimiadis, Assistant to the General Counsel, by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (202) 707-8350.

Supplementary Information

In July 2024, the U.S. Copyright Office (``Office'') adopted a final rule establishing a group registration option for frequently updated news websites.\1\ This registration option permits a news publisher to register a month of updates to a news website with one application and filing fee.\2\ In that final rule, the Office explained that the definition of ``news websites'' was intended to ``encompass news websites that cover current events and provide information on diverse topics,'' but acknowledged that it would monitor the rule's implementation and consider revisions ``if the definition proves too rigid or unworkable.'' \3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 89 FR 58991 (July 22, 2024). \2\ Id. \3\ Id. at 58994. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since the rule's implementation, many aspects of the group registration option have functioned as intended. News publishers are taking advantage of this registration option, and the Office has gained experience examining these claims. That experience has shown that the current definition of ``news websites'' presents recurring questions in its application. In particular, the current requirement that the news website ``contain[ ] a broad range of news on all subjects and activities,'' \4\ if strictly applied, could be understood to exclude otherwise eligible news websites that focus on a defined subject area or set of topics.\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ 37 CFR 202.4(m)(1)(i) (emphasis added). \5\ For example, the Washington Post recently ceased coverage of sports, foreign news, and books. Mary Cunningham, Washington Post begins sweeping layoffs as it sharply scales back news coverage, CBS News (Feb. 5, 2026), https://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-post-begins-sweeping-layoffs/. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accordingly, the Office issues this notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the definition of ``news website.'' The proposed amendment is intended to clarify the works eligible for the group option, while preserving administrability and accommodating a range of modern news publishing practices. The updated definition reflects that: (1) a news website need only report on a variety of subjects, (2) the primary function of the website must be to report on current events, and (3) the news content must be updated frequently. All other aspects of the final rule published in July 2024 remain unchanged.\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ But see 91 FR 13529, 13534-35 (Mar. 20, 2026) (discussing the proposed fee increase for the group registration of updates to news websites). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Office welcomes public comment on its proposal. List of Subjects in 37 CFR Part 202 Copyright, Copyright claims, preregistration and registration. Proposed Regulations For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Copyright Office proposes amending 37 CFR part 202 as follows: PART 202--PREREGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION OF CLAIMS TO COPYRIGHT 0