Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

4 May 1983

Last action

11 June 1984 · Floor

Status

House Incorporated H.R.5525 in This Measure as an Amendment.

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

4 May 1983
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
4 May 1983
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
11 May 1983
Referred
Referred to Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks.
Source: Committee
19 May 1983
Committee
Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-493.
Source: Committee
17 November 1983
Committee
Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
5 April 1984
Committee
Committee on Judiciary. Approved for reporting with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
2 May 1984
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 833.
Source: Calendars
2 May 1984
Reported
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 98-425.
Source: Committee
2 May 1984
Reported
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 98-425.
Source: Committee
16 May 1984
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Source: Floor
16 May 1984
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Source: Floor
11 June 1984
Floor
House Incorporated H.R.5525 in This Measure as an Amendment.
Source: Floor
11 June 1984
Passed
Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Source: Floor
11 June 1984
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Source: Floor
11 June 1984
Floor
Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

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

Documents

4 official files

Leesvertaling

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Passed House amended
summary · EN · 11 June 1984
Open at official source
Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 16 May 1984
Open at official source
Leesvertaling
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Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 2 May 1984
Open at official source
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Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 4 May 1983
Open at official source
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Related records

related to → Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984
related to → Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1983
amends ← To make technical amendments to the Committee substitute.

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/98th-congress/senate-bill/1201
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/98/s/1201
us · 98-s-1201 · source updated 10 August 2026