PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 108-419.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 25, 2003
Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2003 - Amends Federal copyright law to replace the occasional three-member copyright arbitration royalty panels with a full-time, independent Copyright Royalty Judge, appointed by the Librarian of Congress. Requires the Judge to appoint two full-time staff assistants.Revises requirements for copyright royalty proceedings.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] · R–TX
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 108-419.
Became Public Law No: 108-419.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Pursuant to the provisions of S. Con. Res. 145, enrollment corrections on H.R. 1417 have been made.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 0 (Roll no. 532).
House roll call 532 · Individual votesResolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 0 (Roll no. 532).
House roll call 532 · Individual votesAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1417.
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H9848-9857, H9864-9865; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9848-9856)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10488-10504; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S10489-10503)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 744.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 0 (Roll no. 37). (text: CR H762-769)
House roll call 37 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 0 (Roll no. 37).(text: CR H762-769)
House roll call 37 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H789)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1417.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H762-772)
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 234.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-408.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-408.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1417 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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