The U.S. Copyright Office is reviewing two proposals that could expand the ability to preserve anime for personal use. One petition cites Crunchyroll’s April 2024 shutdown of Funimation, which left some customers unable to access digital copies included with DVD and Blu-ray purchases.
Jayden Milne’s petition asks for an exemption allowing disc owners to make one secured local replacement copy when a digital version promised with a purchase is no longer available. The request covers DVDs, Blu-rays and Ultra HD Blu-rays, and could also apply when digital redemption codes have expired. Current U.S. copyright rules generally prohibit bypassing disc encryption to make digital copies unless an exemption applies.
A second petition, submitted by Zakaria Zerhouane, concerns anime removed from licensed U.S. streaming services and titles from distributors that have ceased operating, including ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Central Park Media and Geneon. It seeks permission to bypass certain digital rights management, geographic and session-based access controls to preserve works for personal use.
Zerhouane argues that streaming services do not provide advance notice when titles are removed, making it difficult for viewers to finish or preserve them. The petition also points to instability in the anime licensing market. The proposals are among 10 exemption classes opened for public comment as part of the Copyright Office’s review process.
Neither petition seeks a broad right to copy or distribute video. Both are limited to personal, noncommercial use, and the proposals have not yet been approved.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.