United States · Law · S
S. 227 (104th)
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995
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
13 January 1995
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
13 January 1995
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S947-949)
Source: IntroReferral
13 January 1995
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
9 March 1995
Committee
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.
Source: Committee
29 June 1995
Reported
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
4 August 1995
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 165.
Source: Calendars
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
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 August 1995
Floor
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S11945-11967)
Source: Floor
8 August 1995
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Source: Floor
6 September 1995
Floor
Held at the desk.
Source: Floor
6 September 1995
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
6 September 1995
Floor
Received in the House.
Source: Floor
17 October 1995
Floor
A similar measure H.R. 1506 was laid on the table without objection.
Source: Floor
17 October 1995
Passed
On passage Passed without objection.
Source: Floor
17 October 1995
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
17 October 1995
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Source: Floor
17 October 1995
Floor
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10104-10108)
Source: Floor
17 October 1995
Floor
Mr. Moorhead asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Source: Floor
20 October 1995
Floor
Presented to President.
Source: Floor
20 October 1995
President
Presented to President.
Source: President
1 November 1995
President
Signed by President.
Source: President
1 November 1995
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
1 November 1995
Became law
Became Public Law No: 104-39.
Source: President
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Enrolled Bill · — · Download file
- Public Law · 2 November 1995 · Download file
- Engrossed in Senate · 8 August 1995 · Download file
- Reported to Senate · 4 August 1995 · Download file
- Introduced in Senate · 13 January 1995 · Download file
Documents
12 official files
Enrolled Bill (text)
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Leesvertaling
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Enrolled Bill (text)
Enrolled Bill · EN
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
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
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Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 January 1995
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
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Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 January 1995
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 13 January 1995
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R · Sponsor
- Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Simpson, Alan K. [R-WY] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] · D · Cosponsor
- · hsju00 · Standing
- · ssju00 · Standing
Related records
Related across the Repo ecosystem
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Direct relationships
- Legal framework · Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 · S. 227 (104th) · US
- Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM
Same us record 104-s-227 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/227
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/104/s/227
- us · 104-s-227 · source updated 10 August 2026