Professional photographers know how much time, talent, and passion it takes to create powerful images. But too often, their work ends up being used without permission—and without proper payment.

The law says that photographers must register their work with the U.S. Copyright Office before they can take legal action against someone who infringes on their rights. Yet the current registration process is expensive, complicated, and outdated. As a result, only about 3% of photographers register their work regularly, leaving most creators without access to the full protection they deserve.

That’s why PPA is on a mission to modernize the copyright system for photographers.

Watch the Full Update

Watch Luc Boulet and Cindi Merifield’s latest video update to hear firsthand how meetings with lawmakers are going, what comes next, and why this moment is critical for photographers.

Recent Efforts on Capitol Hill 

PPA’s Government Affairs Manager Luc Boulet joined Chief Lobbyist of Federal Affairs, Cindi Merifield in Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers about a proposal to fix the system. They’ve been visiting offices on both sides of the aisle—both in the House and Senate—to build support for new legislation.

“So far, these meetings have been very promising,” says Boulet. “We’re in search of a legislator who will put our proposal into a bill, and we’re working to find a lead co-sponsor in the Senate and another in the House. Our goal is a bipartisan bill from the start, because that’s the best path to getting this passed.”

Why It Matters

When photographers don’t register their work before an infringement occurs, the only damages they can seek in court are actual damages—usually just the cost of the lost license fee. But registered works qualify for statutory damages, which can be as high as $150,000 per infringement, plus attorney’s fees. That’s a huge difference in both protection and leverage.

Right now, the system’s flaws make it hard for most photographers to participate. Many simply skip registration altogether, leaving themselves vulnerable. PPA’s surveys show that copyright protection is the number one legal concern for photographers—yet the process itself drives them away.

Three Barriers to Fix

In meetings with lawmakers, PPA has been shining a spotlight on three major roadblocks that keep photographers from registering their work. The proposal offers clear, realistic solutions for each one.

Publication

The legal definition of “publication” hasn’t been updated since 1976—long before the internet. This outdated definition creates confusion for photographers, who often can’t tell if or when their work counts as “published.” PPA’s proposal would replace this with the creation date of the work, making the rule simpler and easier to follow.

Deposit

The Copyright Office’s current system for depositing work is not designed for today’s high-volume digital photography. With an estimated 85% of photographers never registering their work, the system would be overwhelmed if they all started tomorrow. PPA is pushing for modernized deposit rules and more efficient systems so the office can handle more registrations without delays.

Fees

Right now, it costs $55 to register up to 750 images. For a professional photographer averaging 44 registrations a year (about 32,000 images), that adds up to around $2,500 annually—a cost that discourages participation. PPA’s proposal suggests using new technology to make the registration process faster and cheaper, reducing costs for creators while keeping the system sustainable.

A Clear Plan Forward

To drive these changes, PPA has submitted a detailed five-page legislative proposal called the Visual Arts Copyright Registration Act. The document explains the problems, presents solutions, and outlines the legislative and administrative actions needed to get it done.

Some of the changes would require Congress to update the law itself. Others could be implemented directly by the Copyright Office if given the right push. That’s why PPA is working both with lawmakers and with the Copyright Office to make progress on all fronts.

“We’ve created a proposal for Congress that addresses the three biggest barriers photographers face—publication, deposit, and fees,” says Boulet. “We’re actively looking for a bill champion who will lead the charge in advancing these legislative goals.”

The Bigger Picture

The ultimate goal is simple: get more photographers engaged in the system so they can protect their work. With modernized rules, a more efficient process, and lower costs, more creators will register their images—and more stolen work can be defended in court.

PPA represents over 35,000 professional photographers, but this effort goes beyond membership. Updating copyright law will help all small creators, including photographers, illustrators, and graphic artists to gain fair access to the protections they deserve.

“We want people participating in the system because that’s the only way to have the full benefit of the law,” Boulet explains. “If more people register, we can protect more of our nation’s creative work.”

What’s Next

PPA is closing in on potential bill sponsors in the Senate and hopes to have news to share soon. The aim is to have bipartisan support from day one, giving the legislation the strongest chance of success.

In the meantime, photographers can help by learning more about copyright registration and why it matters. PPA’s copyright resources and FAQs explain the process, the types of damages available, and the steps to take to protect your work.
Together, we can modernize copyright law and make sure every photographer has the tools to protect their creative work. Stay up to date on copyright news and updates with PPA articles!