Telecom and broadband
4 evidence matches
Impact 99% Confidence 86%
Science, Technology, Communications
Science, Technology, Communications
Internet and video services
S 517 - 113Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
Became Public Law No: 113-144.
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Summary
49 Public Law Aug 14, 2014
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.) 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 this Act from being construed to alter any party's rights under existing law.
81 Passed House without amendment Aug 4, 2014
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.) 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 this Act from being construed to alter any party's rights under existing law.
35 Passed Senate amended Aug 4, 2014
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.) 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 this Act from being construed to alter any party's rights under existing law.
01 Reported to Senate with amendment(s) Aug 4, 2014
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 this Act from being construed to alter any party's rights under existing law.
00 Introduced in Senate Mar 20, 2013
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).
Sponsors
PL
Website
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Phone
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Office
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AF
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Office
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![Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000386_200.jpg)
OH
Website
N/A
Phone
N/A
Office
N/A
![Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000367_200.jpg)
![Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000577_200.jpg)
![Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000802_200.jpg)
![Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000250_200.jpg)
![Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001277_200.jpg)
![Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001088_200.jpg)
Timeline
Aug 1, 2014
Signed by President.
Aug 1, 2014
Signed by President.
Aug 1, 2014
Became Public Law No: 113-144.
Aug 1, 2014
Became Public Law No: 113-144.
Jul 28, 2014
Presented to President.
Jul 28, 2014
Presented to President.
Jul 25, 2014
Mr. Chaffetz asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Jul 25, 2014
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H6835-6836)
Jul 25, 2014
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.(text: CR H6835-6836)
Jul 25, 2014
On passage Passed by voice vote. (text: CR H6835-6836)
Jul 25, 2014
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 17, 2014
By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 113-212.
Jul 17, 2014
By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 113-212.
Jul 16, 2014
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 16, 2014
Received in the House.
Jul 16, 2014
Held at the desk.
Jul 15, 2014
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4510-4511; text as passed Senate: CR S4510-4511)
Jul 15, 2014
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4510-4511; text as passed Senate: CR S4510-4511)
Jul 10, 2014
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Jul 10, 2014
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 10, 2014
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 10, 2014
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 461.
Mar 11, 2013
Introduced in Senate
Mar 11, 2013
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1594-1595)
Mar 11, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1595)
House Votes
No House roll call votes have been linked to this bill yet.
Amendments
No amendment records are currently available for this bill.
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