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HR 2911 99th Congress House

Home Audio Recording Act

Official title: A bill to amend title 17 of the United States Code with respect to home audio recording and audio recording devices and media, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 30, 1985 See on congress.gov
Commerce Communications and BroadcastingCopyrightCopyright royaltiesImports
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
LicensesMagnetic recorders and recordingPatents, Trademarks, and CopyrightsPhonorecordsRadio broadcastingTelevision
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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
Jul 8, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties, and the Administration of Justice.
Jun 27, 1985
Introduced in House
Jun 27, 1985
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
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 Latest action July 8, 1985

Referred to Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties, and the Administration of Justice.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Home Audio Recording Act - Amends the copyright law to exempt from liability for infringement of copyright any individual who makes an audio recording of a musical work or sound recording solely for private household use.

Requires the compulsory licensing of manufacturers and importers of audio recording devices and media. Sets forth procedures for: (1) determining royalty fees to be paid by such manufacturers and importers; and (2) distributing such fees to the owners of copyright of sound recordings included in radio or television transmissions or distributed in the form of phonorecords. Provides for the determination of royalty fees by: (1) voluntary negotiation between importers and manufacturers and representatives of copyright owners; or (2) compulsory arbitration when a voluntary agreement is not reached. Specifies criteria to be considered by an arbitration board in determining royalty fees. Authorizes the Register of Copyrights to confirm fees determined under arbitration or, under specified circumstances, to deny such fees and initiate new arbitration proceedings. Provides for the judicial review of the Register's decision.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2911: Home Audio Recording Act. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2911/
MLA
"H.R. 2911: Home Audio Recording Act." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2911/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2911, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2911/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2911: Home Audio Recording Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2911/)
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