AALL Webinar: Copyright Clearance Center Insights as the 1976 Copyright Act Turns 50

Recorded On: 04/15/2026

Catherine Zaller Rowland, Vice President and General Counsel at Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) and previously Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of the Office of Public Information and Education at the U.S. Copyright Office, will share insights about the 1976 Copyright Act as it approaches its 50th anniversary and how it impacts the field of law librarianship today – particularly Section 106’s exclusive rights and exceptions for libraries and archives to reproduce and distribute certain copyrighted works (section 108) and fair use (section 107). She will also present information about CCC, where she oversees the Legal Department and advises on complex issues including copyright licensing, software, professional services, and the intersection of copyright and emerging technologies.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Any law librarians interested or involved in copyright law and policy - whether that applies to administrative work, managing information access, or research & teaching - will benefit from this session.

TAKEAWAYS:

The webinar will explore key provisions of the 1976 Copyright Act, including sections 106, 107, and 108, and their relevance to the work of law librarians. Learners will be able to discuss and provide examples of the impact the 1976 Act has on law librarians today.
The webinar will describe CCC services and resources that help address complex issues around copyright licensing, and the intersection of copyright and emerging technologies. Learners will be able to identify how these resources can be applied to their copyright licensing issues.
Learners will be able to identify and communicate policy and requirements related to copyright license and AI usage.

SPEAKER:

Catherine Zaller Rowland, Copyright Clearance Center (CCC)

MODERATOR:

Molly Brownfield, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Information Management, Management + Business Acumen

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Catherine Zaller Rowland

Vice President, General Counsel

Copyright Clearance Center

In her role at the Copyright Clearance Center, Rowland oversees the Legal Department and advises on complex issues including copyright licensing, software, professional services, and the intersection of copyright and emerging technologies. Previously, Rowland held a range of positions in the private sector and federal government, focusing on intellectual property matters. Most recently, she served as associate register of copyrights and director of the Office of Public Information and Education at the U.S. Copyright Office, where she was one of four principal legal advisors to the head of the Copyright Office. She began her legal career in private practice focusing on intellectual property litigation, transactions, and counseling.

Molly Brownfield (Moderator)

Director of the Pritzker Legal Research Center & Associate Dean of Information Services

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

Molly joined Northwestern in 2024 as Directorof the Pritzker Legal Research Center, Associate Dean of Information Services,and Senior Lecturer. Prior to coming to Northwestern, Molly was Directorof the Tarlton Law Library, Assistant Dean for Information Services, andLecturer at the University of Texas School of Law. Molly holdsa B.A. in French and Comparative Area Studies from Duke University, a J.D.from the University of Minnesota Law School, and a Master of Science inInformation Studies from the University of Texas School ofInformation. She is a longtime member of the American Association of LawLibraries and Chair of the AALL Copyright Committee.