U.S. Copyright Office Proposes an Amendment to the Group Registration Option for Updates to News Websites

The U.S. Copyright Office proposes an amendment to the group registration option for frequently updated news websites. The Group Registration for Updates to a News Website, or GRNW, final rule was published in July 2024. The rule enables news publishers to register a group of updates to a news website as a collective work, with a deposit composed of identifying material representing sufficient portions of the works included, rather than the complete contents of the website.

To improve administration of the regulation, the proposed amendment clarifies the definition of "news website." The updated definition reflects the intent 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.

The Office proposes this amendment after careful consideration of the benefits to copyright owners and the Office's ability to efficiently examine these works. The amendment will improve the administration of the regulation and ease the registration process for the copyright owners.

For more information, visit the Amendment to Group Registration of Updates to a News Website rulemaking webpage. Written comments must be received no later than June 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.