The Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act of 2025 aims to significantly modernize and streamline copyright registration processes specifically for visual artists, including photographers. It amends Title 17 of the U.S. Code to exempt pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works from the traditional "best edition" deposit requirement, instead mandating a single electronic copy for registration to reduce physical burden and cost.

A key provision establishes a system for third-party registries of photographs, which the Register of Copyrights will certify. These registries will collect and maintain electronic copies and associated metadata, providing secure, searchable databases, with deposit satisfying Copyright Office requirements.

The bill introduces flexible registration options, including group registration for photographs, allowing a single author to register up to 3,000 works with one application and fee, regardless of publication status. It also establishes deferred registration for pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, enabling an applicant to secure an effective registration date with an electronic application and deposit, allowing for immediate enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

To enhance accessibility, the legislation mandates a contemporary public-facing interface for online applications, interoperable with professional creator software. It also reforms fee structures, introducing a reduced fee for deferred registration, requiring reduced fees for individual authors and small business entities, and mandating yearly and periodic registration subscriptions for visual works to make protection more affordable.