United States · Law · S
S. 1623 (102nd)
Audio Home Recording Act of 1992
Introduced
1 August 1991
Last action
—
Status
Became Public Law No: 102-563.
Sponsors
—
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
10 August 2026
Summary
Audio Home Recording Act of 1991 - Amends Federal copyright law to: (1) set forth definitions relating to digital audio recording devices and media; and (2) prohibit certain copyright infringement actions based on the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a digital or analog audio recording device or medium, or the use of such device or medium for making phonorecords, except when done for commercial advantage. Sets forth a mandatory recordation and filing procedure for the importation, manufacture, or distribution in the United States of digital audio recording devices or media. Requires importers and manufacturers to file quarterly and annual statements of account with the Register of Copyrights (the Register). Mandates Register verification of such statements. Sets forth verification guidelines. States that verification audit costs shall be borne by interested copyright parties. Sets forth confidentiality guidelines with respect to such mandatory statements of accounts. Prescribes royalty payment guidelines for digital audio recording devices and media imported, manufactured, or distributed in the United States. Requires that royalty payments be deposited into the Treasury. Identifies interested copyright parties entitled to royalty payments. Prescribes royalty payment allocation and distribution procedures. Permits alternative royalty collection and distribution arrangements to be negotiated among interested copyright and manufacturing parties. Maintains the Copyright Tribunal jurisdiction over such negotiated arrangements insofar as nonparticipant interests are affected. Prohibits: (1) the importation, manufacture, and distribution of any digital audio recording device or audio interface device that does not conform to certain standards and specifications to implement the Serial Copy Management System; and (2) the circumvention of such System. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to publish in the Federal Register a certain Technical Reference Document which sets forth the standards and specifications pertinent to the Serial Copy Management System. Authorizes the Secretary to implement such System according to the prescribed guidelines. Sets forth civil remedies for violations of this Act, including impoundment, remedial modification and destruction of non-complying devices, and binding arbitration.
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Timeline
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Votes
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Versions
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Documents
10 official files
Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN
Engrossed in Senate (text)
Engrossed in Senate · EN
Enrolled Bill (text)
Enrolled Bill · EN
Engrossed Amendment House (text)
Engrossed Amendment House · EN
Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 29 October 1992
Passed House amended
summary · EN · 22 September 1992
Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 17 June 1992
Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 27 November 1991
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 1 August 1991
Sponsors
No sponsors or actors listed by the source.
Related records
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Sources
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- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-bill/1623
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/102/s/1623