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HR 2740 101th Congress House

Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1989

Official title: To amend title 17, United States Code, to protect certain computer programs.

Introduced: June 22, 1989 See on congress.gov
Commerce Computer softwareCopyrightLease and rental servicesLibraries
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 27, 1990
For Further Action See H.R.5498.
Jul 30, 1990
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 14, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Administration of Justice.
Jun 22, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jun 22, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 27, 1990

For Further Action See H.R.5498.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends Federal copyright law to prohibit the person in possession of a computer software program from renting, leasing, or lending it for direct or indirect commercial advantage unless authorized to do so by the copyright owner (or licensee). Directs the Register of Copyrights to report to the Congress whether this Act has achieved its purpose of maintaining the integrity of the copyright system while providing nonprofit libraries the capability to fulfill their function. Grants remedies for copyright infringement in cases of violations of this Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5498 Procedurally related Copyright Amendments Act of 1990
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 22, 1989
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Jun 22, 1989
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2740: Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2740/
MLA
"H.R. 2740: Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2740/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2740, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2740/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2740: Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2740/)
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