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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1028 (98th)

Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1983

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

27 January 1983

Last action

26 April 1984 · Committee

Status

Clean Bill H.R.5525 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in Lieu.

Sponsors

Rep. Edwards, Don [D-CA-10], Rep. Mineta, Norman Y. [D-CA-13], Rep. Kogovsek, Ray [D-CO-3], Rep. Lehman, William [D-FL-13], Rep. Nelson, Bill [D-FL-11], Rep. Bates, Jim [D-CA-44], Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-4], Rep. Washington, Harold [D-IL-1], Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-9], Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [D-AL], Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-36], Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-12], Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6], Rep. Mrazek, Robert J. [D-NY-3], Rep. Martinez, Matthew G. [D-CA-30], Rep. Murphy, Austin J. [D-PA-22], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-26], Rep. Synar, Mike [D-OK-2], Rep. Zschau, Edwin V. W. [R-CA-12], Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4], Rep. Olin, James R. [D-VA-6], Rep. Chandler, Rod D. [R-WA-8], Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6], Rep. Fish, Hamilton, Jr. [R-NY-25], Rep. Lowery, Bill [R-CA-41], Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6], Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-22], Rep. Ritter, Don [R-PA-15], Rep. Pashayan, Charles, Jr. [R-CA-17], Rep. Jeffords, James M. [R-VT-At Large], F. SENSENBRENNER, Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-25], Rep. Gekas, George W. [R-PA-17], Rep. Emerson, Bill [R-MO-8], Rep. Wortley, George C. [R-NY-27], Rep. Tauke, Thomas Joseph [R-IA-2], Rep. Wylie, Chalmers P. [R-OH-15], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Rep. Forsythe, Edwin B. [R-NJ-6], Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-11], Rep. Pritchard, Joel [R-WA-1], Rep. Ridge, Thomas J. [R-PA-21], Rep. Erlenborn, John N. [R-IL-14], Rep. DeWine, Mike [R-OH-7], Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19], Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN], Rep. McCandless, Alfred A. (Al) [R-CA-37]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

29 August 2025

Official sourceView documentsShare

Summary

Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1983 - Extends copyright protection to mask works. Defines a mask work as a series of related images: (1) having the predetermined, three- dimensional pattern of metallic, insulating, or semiconductor material present or removed from the layers of a semiconductor chip product; and (2) in which the relation of the images to one another is that each image has the pattern of the surface of one form of the chip product. Excludes masks and mask works from the pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works categories. Sets forth the exclusive rights the owner of copyright holds, including the right to: (1) embody the mask work in a mask, a two-dimensional partially transparent and opaque sheet; (2) distribute a mask embodying the mask work; (3) reproduce such work on material intended to be part of the semiconductor chip product; and (4) manufacture and distribute semiconductor chip products incorporating such masks. Sets forth limitations on such exclusive rights, including compulsory licensing, as specified. Sets the copyright term for masks at ten years from first authorized distribution, use, or manufacture. Excludes an innocent purchaser in good faith of a semiconductor chip product from infringement liability. Permits the impoundment and seizure of masks made or used in violation of the copyright owner's exclusive rights.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 27 January 1983

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 27 January 1983

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 27 January 1983

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 4 February 1983

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties, and the Administration of Justice.

    Source: Committee

  5. 8 July 1983

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Justice.

    Source: Committee

  6. 3 August 1983

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 1 December 1983

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 11 April 1984

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 26 April 1984

    Committee

    Clean Bill H.R.5525 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in Lieu.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

1 official file

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 63 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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