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H.R.3209 / 105th Congress

On-Line Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 12, 1998

On-Line Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act - Amends Federal copyright law to exempt an on-line material provider from liability for direct infringement, based solely on the intermediate storage and transmission of material over such provider's network, if: (1) the transmission was initiated by another person; (2) the storage and transmission is carried out through an automatic technological process, without any selection of that material by the provider; and (3) any copy of such material is not retained longer than necessary to carry out that transmission. Exempts such a provider from liability for monetary relief for contributory infringement or vicarious liability based solely on the above conduct or on the transmission or provision of access to such material over the provider's system or network if the provider: (1) does not know of information indicating that the material is infringing; and (2) does not receive a financial benefit directly attributable to the infringing activity. Exempts a provider from any claim based on such provider's removing or disabling on-line access to material in response to knowledge or information that such material is infringing, whether or not such material is in fact an infringement. Makes liable for damages any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that on-line material is an infringement.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6] · R–NC

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

  2. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

  4. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  5. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E160-161)

  6. Introduced in House

  7. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.3209 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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