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Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

3/14/2024, 12:48 PM

Congressional Summary of S 517

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act - Repeals a Library of Congress (LOC) rulemaking determination, made upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, regarding the circumvention of technological measures controlling access to copyrighted software on wireless telephone handsets (mobile telephones) for the purpose of connecting to different wireless telecommunications networks (a practice commonly referred to as "unlocking" such devices). Reestablishes, as an exemption to provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibiting such circumvention, a previous LOC rule permitting the use of computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of such computer program solely to connect to such a network and access to the network is authorized by the network operator, thus permitting unlocked phones.

Directs the Librarian of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register, to determine whether to extend such exemption to include any other category of wireless devices in addition to wireless telephone handsets (e.g., tablets and other mobile broadband-enabled devices).

Allows such circumvention (unlocking) to be initiated by the owner of such a device, by another person at the direction of the owner, or by a provider of a commercial mobile radio service or a commercial mobile data service at the direction of such owner or other person, solely in order to enable such owner or a family member of such owner to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when such connection is authorized by the operator of such network.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to alter any party's rights under existing law.

Current Status of Bill S 517

Bill S 517 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 11, 2013. Bill S 517 was introduced during Congress 113 and was introduced to the Senate on March 11, 2013.  Bill S 517's most recent activity was Became Public Law No: 113-144. as of August 1, 2014

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 517

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
10
Democrat Cosponsors
6
Republican Cosponsors
4
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 517

Primary Policy Focus

Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact Areas

- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Congressional agencies
- Intellectual property
- Internet and video services
- Internet, web applications, social media
- Library of Congress
- Telephone and wireless communication

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 517

Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
A bill to promote consumer choice and wireless competition by permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other purposes.
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

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