[NTLUG:Discuss] Copyright pre-registration requires Internet Explorer

[Robert Citek]

Does anyone have a problem with IE being the only browser used to pre- 
register copyrighted material?

 From http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2005/70fr44878.html :

<quote>
"Today's notice seeks information as to whether persons filing the  
electronic-only preregistration form prescribed by the Copyright  
Office will experience difficulties if it is necessary to use  
Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser in order to preregister a  
work.
  ...
Comments are due no later than August 22, 2005. Reply comments are  
due no later than September 7, 2005."
</quote>

If so, let them know within 5 days from today.  Also, you need to  
address these questions in your response:

1) Would you have difficulties using Internet Explorer (version 5.1  
or higher) to file preregistration claims?  Why?
2) Do you anticipate preregistering a claim on the electronic-only form?
3) Would you not be able to use Internet Explorer?  Why not?
4) Will you choose not to preregister if it is necessary to use  
Internet Explorer?

I would also include some questions of my own for the copyright  
office, including:

Why create a non-standard method of submitting information to a  
public entity?  Why not use a W3C standards-compliant method for  
submitting information[1]?  Amazon.com can do it.  eBay.com can do  
it.  My bank and credit card company can do it.  Why not the  
Copyright office?

You may want to include a copy to your local congressperson.

If sent by mail, an original and five copies of any comment should be  
printed (yes, good old-fashioned paper) and addressed to:

Copyright GC/ I&R
P.O. Box 70400
Southwest Station, Washington, DC 20024-0400.

If you send it by mail, do so ASAP.  It will probably take five days  
to get there by snail mail.

[1] http://www.w3.org/

Regards,
- Robert
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