summary
Introduced
03/11/2013
03/11/2013
In Committee
07/10/2014
07/10/2014
Crossed Over
07/16/2014
07/16/2014
Passed
07/28/2014
07/28/2014
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
08/01/2014
08/01/2014
Introduced Session
113th Congress
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, aims to restore the ability for consumers to "unlock" their mobile phones, a practice that allows them to switch to different wireless carriers. It repeals a recent decision by the Library of Congress (LOC) that prohibited this, and instead reinstates an older rule that permitted the use of software to enable used phones to connect to any authorized wireless network, provided the phone's owner initiated the unlocking for this purpose. The bill also directs the Librarian of Congress to consider whether this exemption should apply to other wireless devices like tablets. Furthermore, it clarifies that unlocking can be done by the owner, someone acting on their behalf, or a wireless service provider at the owner's direction, as long as the goal is to connect to an authorized network. Importantly, the bill states that it does not change any other existing legal rights.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (11)
Patrick Leahy (D)*,
Michael Bennet (D),
Richard Blumenthal (D),
Chris Coons (D),
Al Franken (D),
Chuck Grassley (R),
Orrin Hatch (R),
Amy Klobuchar (D),
Mike Lee (R),
John Thune (R),
Sheldon Whitehouse (D),
Last Action
Became Public Law No: 113-144. (on 08/01/2014)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/517/all-info | 04/25/2013 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517enr/pdf/BILLS-113s517enr.pdf | 07/29/2014 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517enr/pdf/BILLS-113s517enr.pdf.pdf | 07/29/2014 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517es/pdf/BILLS-113s517es.pdf | 07/16/2014 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517es/pdf/BILLS-113s517es.pdf.pdf | 07/16/2014 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517rs/pdf/BILLS-113s517rs.pdf | 07/12/2014 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517rs/pdf/BILLS-113s517rs.pdf.pdf | 07/12/2014 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517is/pdf/BILLS-113s517is.pdf | 07/12/2014 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s517is/pdf/BILLS-113s517is.pdf.pdf | 03/15/2013 |
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