Re:Create Urges Senate To Fix CASE Act: Following approval of the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2019 by the House of Representatives, the Re:Create Coalition issued a statement urging the Senate to fix the “disastrous” bill. “The CASE Act will expose ordinary Americans to tens of thousands of dollars in damages for things most of us do everyday. We are extremely disappointed that Congress passed the CASE Act as currently written, and we hope that the Senate will do its due diligence to make much-needed amendments to this bill to protect American consumers and remove any constitutional concerns,” said Executive Director Joshua Lamel.

Alternative To CASE Act In Senate. Communications Daily reported that staff for Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) say his office is drafting a Senate alternative to the CASE Act that will create a voluntary small claims board within the Copyright Office. The report notes that Wyden, along with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, have placed a procedural hold on the bill. According to the report, Wyden stated the current version of the bill would “create an extrajudicial, virtually unappealable tribunal that could impose statutory damages of $30,000 on an individual who posts a couple of memes on social media, even if the claimant sustained little or no economic harm.”

EFF: Senate Can Still Stop The CASE Act: Following the House vote on the controversial CASE Act, EFF’s Katharine Trendacosta posted a blog that showcases the flaws in the process that did not include any public hearings, the potential for abuse by bad actors and questions if the bill is even constitutional. The blog informs concerned readers they can still stop the House-approved version from advancing in the Senate and urges them to take action.

ALA Launches #eBooksforAll Petition. Beginning this Friday, November 1, Macmillan Publishers will start a new policy that allows libraries to purchase only one copy of each new eBook title for the first eight weeks after a book’s release. The American Library Association (ALA) warns that this embargo “would limit libraries’ ability to provide access to information for all” and that it will particularly harm library patrons with disabilities and learning issues. In response, ALA and libraries across the country have launched a petition for people to voice their objection by telling Macmillan CEO John Sargent that access to eBooks should not be delayed or denied.