Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-107
Sponsor: Rep. Boucher, Rick [D-VA-9]
Introduced: 2003-01-07 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Arts, Culture, Religion
Computer software
Computers
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer complaints
Consumer protection
Copyright
Deceptive advertising
Encryption
Federal Trade Commission
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Intellectual property
Law
Research
Restrictive trade practices
Science, Technology, Communications
Sound recording and reproducing

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to prohibit: (1) introduction into commerce of prerecorded digital music disc products that are mislabeled, or falsely, or deceptively advertised or invoiced; and (2) removal or mutilation of any label required by either this Act or any rules or regulations prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission before the time a prerecorded digital music disc product is sold and delivered to the ultimate consumer.
States that such transactions constitute either an unfair method of competition, or an unfair and deceptive act or practice in commerce.
Authorizes the Commission to develop rules and regulations governing such transactions.
Amends Federal copyright law to exempt from its prohibitions against circumvention of copyright protection systems any persons acting solely in furtherance of scientific research into technological protection measures.
Declares it is not a violation of copyright law, but fair use, to: (1) circumvent a technological measure in connection with access to, or the use of, a work if such circumvention does not result in an infringement of the copyright in the work; or (2) manufacture, distribute, or make noninfringing use of a hardware or software product capable of enabling significant noninfringing use of a copyrighted work.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-05-12
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2003-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E19-21)
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-01-07
text: Introduced in House