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Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005

Introduced: March 9, 2005 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 22, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Mar 9, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 9, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to prohibit: (1) introduction into commerce of prerecorded digital music disc products that are mislabeled, or falsely, or deceptively advertised or invoiced; and (2) removal or mutilation of any label required by either this Act or any rules or regulations prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission before the time a prerecorded digital music disc product is sold and delivered to the ultimate consumer.

States that such transactions constitute either an unfair method of competition, or an unfair and deceptive act or practice in commerce.

Authorizes the Commission to develop rules and regulations governing such transactions.

Amends Federal copyright law to exempt from its prohibitions against circumvention of copyright protection systems any persons acting solely in furtherance of scientific research into technological measures.

Declares it is not a violation of copyright law, but fair use, to: (1) circumvent a technological measure in order to obtain access to a work for purposes of making noninfringing use of the work; or (2) manufacture or distribute a hardware or software product capable of substantial noninfringing uses except in instances of direct infringement.

What's happening now March 22, 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1201: Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1201/
MLA
"H.R. 1201: Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1201/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1201, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1201/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1201: Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1201/)
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