Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

20 March 1997

Last action

27 October 1998 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 105-298.

Summary

Copyright Term Extension Act of 1997 - Amends Federal copyright provisions regarding preemption of laws concerning duration of copyrights. (Sec. 2) Prohibits the annulment or limitation of rights or remedies under State laws with respect to sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, until February 15, 2067 (currently, 2047). Extends the duration of copyright in a work created on or after January 1, 1978, to the life of the author and 70 (currently, 50) years after the author's death. Makes the same extension with regard to joint works created on or after such date. Extends the duration of copyright in anonymous or pseudonymous works or works made for hire on or after such date to 95 (currently, 75) years from the year of the first publication, or 120 (currently, 100) years from the year of creation, whichever expires first. Makes conforming extensions with respect to provisions regarding the presumption of an author's death. Extends from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2047, the duration of copyright in works published on or before December 31, 2002. Extends the duration of copyrights in their renewal term at the time of the effective date of this Act to 95 years from the date such copyrights were originally secured. Permits an author or owner of a termination right, subject to certain conditions, to terminate a transfer or license of a renewal (executed before January 1, 1978) of a copyright (other than a work made for hire) subsisting in its renewal term on the effective date of this Act, for which the termination right has not been exercised, and has expired, by such date. Allows termination of a transfer or license grant at any time during the five years beginning at the end of 75 years from the date the copyright was originally secured. (Sec. 3) Allows, during the last 20 years of any term of copyright of a published work, a library or archives to reproduce, distribute, display, or perform in facsimile or digital form a copy or phonorecord of such work for purposes of preservation, scholarship, or research after determining that none of the following conditions apply: (1) the work is subject to normal commercial exploitation; (2) a copy or phonorecord of the work can be obtained at a reasonable price; or (3) the copyright owner or its agent provides notice that either of such conditions applies. Provides that such exemption does not apply to any subsequent uses by users other than such library or archives. (Sec. 4) Declares that the distribution of phonorecords before January 1, 1978, shall not constitute publication of the musical work embodied therein for purposes of copyright infringement under the Copyright Act of 1909. Provides that this declaration shall not be a basis to reopen an action nor to commence a subsequent action for copyright infringement if an action in which such claim was raised was dismissed by final judgment before the date of enactment of this Act.

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Timeline

20 March 1997
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
20 March 1997
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2678-2682)
Source: IntroReferral
20 March 1997
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
7 October 1998
Floor
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11672-11675)
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Floor
Received in the House.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Discharge
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Discharge
7 October 1998
Committee
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Committee
7 October 1998
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Passed
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Source: Floor
7 October 1998
Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9946-9954)
Source: Floor
15 October 1998
Floor
Presented to President.
Source: Floor
15 October 1998
President
Presented to President.
Source: President
27 October 1998
Became law
Became Public Law No: 105-298.
Source: President
27 October 1998
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
27 October 1998
President
Signed by President.
Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Enrolled Bill · — · Download file
Public Law · 27 October 1998 · Download file
Engrossed in Senate · 7 October 1998 · Download file
Introduced in Senate · 20 March 1997 · Download file

Documents

10 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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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 · 27 October 1998
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Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 27 October 1998
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Engrossed in Senate (text)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 7 October 1998
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Engrossed in Senate (PDF)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 7 October 1998
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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 7 October 1998
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Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 20 March 1997
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Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 20 March 1997
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Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 20 March 1997
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Related records

related to → Copyright Term Extension Act
related to → To amend title 17, United States Code, to extend the term of copyright, to provide for a music licensing exemption, and for other purposes.
amends ← In the nature of a substitute.

Related across the Repo ecosystem

Direct relationships are identifier-backed. Topic context means shared TopicMembership — not a citation and not causation.

Direct relationships

Legal framework · Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act · S. 505 (105th) · US

Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM
Same us record 105-s-505 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.
Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act

Sources

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

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/505
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/105/s/505
us · 105-s-505 · source updated 10 August 2026