US Congress House Bill 1123 (Prior Session Legislation)

---

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-4)
Status: Engrossed on February 26 2014 - 50% progression, died in committee
Action: 2014-02-26 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Pending: Senate Judiciary Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

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 such owner-directed unlocking from being construed to: (1) permit the unlocking of devices for the purpose of bulk resale, or (2) authorize the Librarian to authorize circumvention for such purpose.

Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

Rep. Bob Goodlatte [R-VA]	Rep. Jason Chaffetz [R-UT]	Rep. Howard Coble [R-NC]	Rep. John Conyers [D-MI]
Rep. Suzan DelBene [D-WA]	Rep. Hakeem Jeffries [D-NY]	Rep. Henry Johnson [D-GA]	Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D-CA]
Rep. Betty McCollum [D-MN]	Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX]	Rep. Melvin Watt [D-NC]

2014-02-25 - House - On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended (Y: 295 N: 114 NV: 21 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2014-02-26	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2014-02-25	House	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 295 - 114 (Roll no. 64). (text: CR H1904-1905)
2014-02-25	House	Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1922-1923)
2014-02-25	House	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2014-02-25	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1123.
2014-02-25	House	Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1904-1912)
2014-02-25	House	Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. (consideration: CR H1904)
2014-02-25	House	Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 264.
2014-02-25	House	Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 113-356.
2013-07-31	House	Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
2013-07-31	House	Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
2013-07-22	House	Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Discharged.
2013-06-06	House	Subcommittee Hearings Held.
2013-04-15	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, And The Internet.
2013-03-13	House	Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

SB517 (Same As) 2014-08-01 - Became Public Law No: 113-144.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1123/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1123/BILLS-113hr1123ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1123/BILLS-113hr1123rh.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1123/BILLS-113hr1123eh.pdf
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/201464