U.S. Copyright Office Weighs Anime Preservation Exemptions
Two petitions seek to legalize personal copies of discs and anime removed from U.S. streaming, cbr.com reports.
The U.S. Copyright Office has opened 10 proposed exemption classes for public comment, including two petitions focused on anime preservation, according to cbr.com. The petitions address personal replacement copies of purchased discs and access to anime removed from licensed U.S. streaming services.
One petition, filed by Jayden Milne, asks to allow owners of DVDs, Blu-rays and Ultra HD Blu-rays to make a single secured local replacement copy for personal use when the bundled digital copy is no longer accessible. The other, filed by Zakaria Zerhouane, targets anime that has been removed from licensed U.S. streaming services after licensing agreements expire.
Zerhouane's petition seeks an exemption to circumvent DRM, geo-blocking and session-based access controls on streaming platforms for personal, noncommercial use. Both petitions are limited to personal, noncommercial use and do not cover all video content.
The proposals follow earlier disruptions in anime access. In April 2024, Crunchyroll shut down Funimation, leaving customers without access to digital copies bundled with their DVD and Blu-ray purchases. In July 2026, Black Lagoon (Seasons 1 and 2 plus the Roberta's Blood Trail OVA), Blood Blockade Battlefront (both seasons) and Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions were removed from Crunchyroll's U.S. library and have not returned. Crunchyroll removed 86: EIGHTY-SIX in March 2026, and it became available again in August.
Quick answers
What do the anime preservation petitions ask for?
One seeks to allow a single secured local replacement copy of purchased discs when the bundled digital copy is inaccessible; the other seeks to circumvent DRM and geo-blocking on streaming platforms for personal, noncommercial access to removed anime.
Are these exemptions limited to personal use?
Yes. Both petitions are limited to personal, noncommercial use and do not cover all video content.
Which anime were removed from Crunchyroll in July 2026?
Black Lagoon (Seasons 1 and 2 plus the Roberta's Blood Trail OVA), Blood Blockade Battlefront (both seasons) and Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions were removed from Crunchyroll's U.S. library and have not returned.