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Digital Consumer Right to Know Act

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2838)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 24, 2003

Digital Consumer Right to Know Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules to implement requirements that a producer or distributor of copyrighted digital content disclose the nature of restrictions that limit the practical ability of the content purchaser to play, copy, transmit, or transfer such content on, to, or between devices commonly used with respect to that type of content. Requires such disclosure in the case of limitations on: (1) the recording for later viewing or listening of certain audio or video programming; (2) the reasonable and noncommercial use of legally acquired audio or video content; (3) making backup copies of legally acquired content subject to accidental damage, erasure, or destruction; (4) using limited excerpts of legally acquired content; and (5) engaging in the secondhand transfer or sale of legally acquired content. Provides disclosure exceptions. Requires the FTC to annually review the effectiveness of such rules.Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) competition among distribution outlets and methods generally benefits consumers; and (2) copyright holders selling digital content in electronic form for distribution over the Internet should offer to license such content to multiple unaffiliated distributors.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D–OR

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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    1. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2838)

    2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4327-4328)

    3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4326-4327)

    4. Introduced in Senate

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    Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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