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Advocacy/Copyright reform
Copyright reform
January 5, 2026
More Information: ASMP’s VACRA Initiative
“Echoes in Flight.” © Yoshiki Nakamura | Birds, Judge’s Choice | NANPA Showcase 2026
NANPA and ASMP support a proposal to make copyright registration better fit the way photographers work.
At a Glance
This article explains the bill introduced December 17, 2025. Its proposed reforms depend on enactment and implementation.
Bill
VACRA · 119th Congress
Introduction record
December 17, 2025 · Senate Judiciary referral
Follow this issue at ASMP
View the legislative record
On This Page
NANPA’s roleFour proposed changesASMP’s December 17, 2025 announcementSources and further readingRelated Advocacy
Rep. Ben Cline introduced H.R. 10843, the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2026, for himself and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove on October 19, 2026. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Read NANPA’s House Introduction Update and follow the ASMP VACRA Initiative. This article’s original Senate coverage is preserved below.
ASMP and NANPA · Original announcement graphic.
The introduction of the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2025 marked a significant step in NANPA and ASMP’s copyright advocacy. The effort was spearheaded by Sean Fitzgerald, past president of NANPA, and Thomas Maddrey, ASMP CEO, working with PPA and other organizations in the Coalition of Visual Associations.
The January 2026 announcement celebrated the bill’s introduction. Introduction does not itself change registration rules. The official legislative record is the place to check later actions and amended text.
The introduced bill addresses four recurring registration barriers:
These are selective summaries of the introduced text. Read the bill and ASMP’s VACRA issue page for the fuller proposal and source documents.
The release below records ASMP’s position at introduction. Statements about future benefits and next steps are from that date.
San Francisco, December 17, 2025 — The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) announced its strong support for the introduction of the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2025 by sponsor Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and co-sponsor Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). This legislation, the result of years of effort from ASMP and its sister organizations, represents the largest step forward in recent history to modernize and simplify the copyright registration process for photographers and all visual creators; thereby allowing these artists to finally receive the promise and protection of copyright law.
“VACRA breaks down the barriers that prevent so many creators and photographers across the country from being able to protect the fruits of their life’s work and passion,” ASMP Chief Executive Officer Thomas Maddrey notes. “These sorely needed and common-sense reforms are long overdue and are a first step in bringing so many artists back into the very copyright system that is designed to support their efforts in the creative economy. ASMP applauds Senator Blackburn and Senator Welch for their leadership and support of VACRA, and the far-reaching effects this bill will have on photographers and all visual creators in this country.”
Focusing on four key areas where modernization of copyright registration is most needed, including increased limits for group registration submissions, deferred registrations, subscription models, and third-party registries, VACRA is focused on alleviating the most widespread pain points faced by hundreds of thousands of creators.
VACRA is a result of the efforts of, and supported by, many of the leading groups representing these visual artists, and this widespread support speaks to the longstanding need for such legislation. “ASMP and NANPA have worked closely with PPA and many others in the Coalition of Visual Associations to get to the point where this legislation is now a reality. But the work is not yet done, and we will be asking not only our 7,200+ Members, but all photographers and visual creators, to do their part to help support this bill as it takes the next steps to becoming law,” Maddrey says.
Editorial update: October 11, 2026: clarified that the introduction was a legislative milestone, added the introduced bill and official record, and separated the dated ASMP release from the proposal summary.
Keep Exploring
A separate proposal affecting the cost of registering photographs.
Read the fee action
Explore NANPA’s copyright resources and primary documents.
Return to the hub
Copyright reform
NANPA Advocacy Alert: Introduction of VACRA
January 5, 2026
More Information: ASMP’s VACRA Initiative
“Echoes in Flight.” © Yoshiki Nakamura | Birds, Judge’s Choice | NANPA Showcase 2026
NANPA and ASMP support a proposal to make copyright registration better fit the way photographers work.
At a Glance
Introduced bill: S. 3517
This article explains the bill introduced December 17, 2025. Its proposed reforms depend on enactment and implementation.
Bill
VACRA · 119th Congress
Introduction record
December 17, 2025 · Senate Judiciary referral
Follow this issue at ASMP
View the legislative record
On This Page
NANPA’s roleFour proposed changesASMP’s December 17, 2025 announcementSources and further readingRelated Advocacy
House Introduction Update — October 20, 2026
Rep. Ben Cline introduced H.R. 10843, the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2026, for himself and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove on October 19, 2026. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Read NANPA’s House Introduction Update and follow the ASMP VACRA Initiative. This article’s original Senate coverage is preserved below.
NANPA’s role
ASMP and NANPA · Original announcement graphic.
The introduction of the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2025 marked a significant step in NANPA and ASMP’s copyright advocacy. The effort was spearheaded by Sean Fitzgerald, past president of NANPA, and Thomas Maddrey, ASMP CEO, working with PPA and other organizations in the Coalition of Visual Associations.
The January 2026 announcement celebrated the bill’s introduction. Introduction does not itself change registration rules. The official legislative record is the place to check later actions and amended text.
Four proposed changes
The introduced bill addresses four recurring registration barriers:
- Larger photograph groups: up to 3,000 photographs by the same individual author, without separating them by publication status, with provision for later increases.
- Deferred registration: a process allowing later examination on request.
- Subscriptions: yearly and periodic registration subscriptions.
- Third-party registries: a certification framework for photographic registries and deposit requirements.
These are selective summaries of the introduced text. Read the bill and ASMP’s VACRA issue page for the fuller proposal and source documents.
ASMP’s December 17, 2025 announcement
The release below records ASMP’s position at introduction. Statements about future benefits and next steps are from that date.
San Francisco, December 17, 2025 — The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) announced its strong support for the introduction of the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2025 by sponsor Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and co-sponsor Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). This legislation, the result of years of effort from ASMP and its sister organizations, represents the largest step forward in recent history to modernize and simplify the copyright registration process for photographers and all visual creators; thereby allowing these artists to finally receive the promise and protection of copyright law.
“VACRA breaks down the barriers that prevent so many creators and photographers across the country from being able to protect the fruits of their life’s work and passion,” ASMP Chief Executive Officer Thomas Maddrey notes. “These sorely needed and common-sense reforms are long overdue and are a first step in bringing so many artists back into the very copyright system that is designed to support their efforts in the creative economy. ASMP applauds Senator Blackburn and Senator Welch for their leadership and support of VACRA, and the far-reaching effects this bill will have on photographers and all visual creators in this country.”
Focusing on four key areas where modernization of copyright registration is most needed, including increased limits for group registration submissions, deferred registrations, subscription models, and third-party registries, VACRA is focused on alleviating the most widespread pain points faced by hundreds of thousands of creators.
VACRA is a result of the efforts of, and supported by, many of the leading groups representing these visual artists, and this widespread support speaks to the longstanding need for such legislation. “ASMP and NANPA have worked closely with PPA and many others in the Coalition of Visual Associations to get to the point where this legislation is now a reality. But the work is not yet done, and we will be asking not only our 7,200+ Members, but all photographers and visual creators, to do their part to help support this bill as it takes the next steps to becoming law,” Maddrey says.
Sources and further reading
- NANPA’s House Introduction Update
- S. 3517: official status and legislative actions
- Read the introduced VACRA bill (PDF)
- ASMP’s maintained VACRA issue page
Editorial update: October 11, 2026: clarified that the introduction was a legislative milestone, added the introduced bill and official record, and separated the dated ASMP release from the proposal summary.
Keep Exploring
Related Advocacy
Registration fees
A separate proposal affecting the cost of registering photographs.
Read the fee action
Copyright advocacy
Explore NANPA’s copyright resources and primary documents.
Return to the hub