Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

Bill: 113-hr-1123
Sponsor: Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]
Introduced: 2013-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional agencies
Intellectual property
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Library of Congress
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: 
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act - Repeals a Library of Congress (LOC) rulemaking determination, made upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, regarding the circumvention of technological measures controlling access to copyrighted software on wireless telephone handsets (mobile telephones) for the purpose of connecting to different wireless telecommunications networks (a practice commonly referred to as "unlocking" such devices). Reestablishes, as an exemption to provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibiting such circumvention, a previous LOC rule permitting the use of computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of such computer program solely to connect to such a network and access to the network is authorized by the network operator, thus permitting unlocked phones.

 
Directs the Librarian of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register, to determine whether to extend such exemption to include any other category of wireless devices in addition to wireless telephone handsets (e.g., tablets and other mobile broadband-enabled devices). 

action_date: 2014-02-25
text: 
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act - Repeals a Library of Congress (LOC) rulemaking determination, made upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, regarding the circumvention of technological measures controlling access to copyrighted software on wireless telephone handsets (mobile telephones) for the purpose of connecting to different wireless telecommunications networks (a practice commonly referred to as "unlocking" such devices). Reestablishes, as an exemption to provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibiting such circumvention, a previous LOC rule permitting the use of computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of such computer program solely to connect to such a network and access to the network is authorized by the network operator, thus permitting unlocked phones.
 
Directs the Librarian of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register, to determine whether to extend such exemption to include any other category of wireless devices in addition to wireless telephone handsets (e.g., tablets and other mobile broadband-enabled devices). 
 
Allows such circumvention (unlocking) to be initiated by the owner of such a device, by another person at the direction of the owner, or by a provider of a commercial mobile radio service or a commercial mobile data service at the direction of such owner or other person, solely in order to enable such owner or a family member of such owner to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when such connection is authorized by the operator of such network. Prohibits such owner-directed unlocking from being construed to: (1) permit the unlocking of devices for the purpose of bulk resale, or (2) authorize the Librarian to authorize circumvention for such purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-02-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 295 - 114 (Roll no. 64). (text: CR H1904-1905)
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 295 - 114 (Roll no. 64).(text: CR H1904-1905)
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1922-1923)
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1123.
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1904-1912)
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. (consideration: CR H1904)
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 264.
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 113-356.
action_date: 2014-02-25
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 113-356.
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-07-22
text: Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Discharged.
action_date: 2013-06-06
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2013-04-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, And The Internet.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Introduced in House