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United States · Law · S

S. 227 (104th)

Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

13 January 1995

Last action

1 November 1995 · Became law

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-39.

Sponsors

Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT], Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA], Sen. Simpson, Alan K. [R-WY], Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH], Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS], Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

10 August 2026

Summary

Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 - Provides an exclusive right (with specified limitations) to perform sound recordings publicly by means of digital transmissions. Requires the performance of a sound recording publicly by means of digital transmission, in the case of a subscription transmission, to be subject to statutory licensing if the transmission is not part of an interactive service and does not exceed the sound recording performance complement. Authorizes copyright owners of sound recordings and any entities performing such recordings to negotiate and agree upon the terms and rates of royalty payments and the division of fees among owners and to designate common agents to negotiate, agree to, pay, or receive such payments. Directs the Librarian of Congress to publish notice of the initiation of voluntary negotiation proceedings for purposes of determining reasonable terms and rates of royalty payments for activities involving subscription transmissions. Requires such terms and rates to distinguish among the different types of digital transmission services then in operation. Permits copyright owners of affected sound recordings or entities performing such recordings to submit licenses covering such activities to the Librarian. Requires the Librarian, in the absence of negotiated license agreements, to convene a copyright arbitration royalty panel to be binding on such owners and entities. Directs the Librarian to establish requirements by which such owners may receive notice of the use of their sound recordings and under which records of use shall be kept by entities performing such recordings. Requires voluntarily negotiated license agreements between such owners and entities to be given effect in lieu of any determination by the Librarian. Directs persons wishing to perform a sound recording publicly by means of a subscription transmission to do so without infringing exclusive rights by complying with notice requirements of the Register of Copyrights and paying royalty fees. Sets forth a formula for the allocation of proceeds from the licensing of such transmissions to recording artists. Sets forth authorities of copyright owners with respect to licensing to affiliates. Includes within the scope of a compulsory license to make and distribute phonorecords of nondramatic musical works the right of the phonorecord maker to distribute or authorize distribution of the sound recording by means of digital transmission which constitutes a digital phonorecord delivery. Grants copyright owners of such works the right to receive royalty payments at the rate prescribed when the digital transmission constitutes such a delivery. Makes such transmission actionable by the owner as an act of infringement unless authorized by the owner or a person who has obtained a compulsory license.

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

Timeline

  1. 13 January 1995

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 13 January 1995

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S947-949)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 13 January 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 9 March 1995

    Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 29 June 1995

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 4 August 1995

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 165.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 4 August 1995

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-128.

    Source: Committee

  8. 4 August 1995

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-128.

    Source: Committee

  9. 8 August 1995

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S11945-11967)

    Source: Floor

  10. 8 August 1995

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

  11. 6 September 1995

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  12. 6 September 1995

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 6 September 1995

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  14. 17 October 1995

    Floor

    A similar measure H.R. 1506 was laid on the table without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 17 October 1995

    Passed

    On passage Passed without objection.

    Source: Floor

  16. 17 October 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  17. 17 October 1995

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.

    Source: Floor

  18. 17 October 1995

    Floor

    Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10104-10108)

    Source: Floor

  19. 17 October 1995

    Floor

    Mr. Moorhead asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

    Source: Floor

  20. 20 October 1995

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  21. 20 October 1995

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  22. 1 November 1995

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

  23. 1 November 1995

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  24. 1 November 1995

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-39.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

12 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 2 November 1995

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 2 November 1995

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 8 August 1995

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 8 August 1995

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 8 August 1995

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 4 August 1995

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 4 August 1995

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 January 1995

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 January 1995

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 13 January 1995

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