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Online Attorney
908, or the date on which the mask work is first
commercially exploited anywhere in the world, whichever occurs
first.
(b) Subject to subsection (c) and the provisions of this chapter,
the protection provided under this chapter to a mask work shall end
ten years after the date on which such protection commences under
subsection (a).
(c) All terms of protection provided in this section shall run to
the end of the calendar year in which they would otherwise expire.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3349.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 910, 914 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 905 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 905. Exclusive rights in mask works
-STATUTE-
The owner of a mask work provided protection under this chapter
has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the
following:
(1) to reproduce the mask work by optical, electronic, or any
other means;
(2) to import or distribute a semiconductor chip product in
which the mask work is embodied; and
(3) to induce or knowingly to cause another person to do any of
the acts described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3350.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 906, 910 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 906 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 906. Limitation on exclusive rights: reverse engineering;
first sale
-STATUTE-
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 905, it is not an
infringement of the exclusive rights of the owner of a mask work
for -
(1) a person to reproduce the mask work solely for the purpose
of teaching, analyzing, or evaluating the concepts or techniques
embodied in the mask work or the circuitry, logic flow, or
organization of components used in the mask work; or
(2) a person who performs the analysis or evaluation described
in paragraph (1) to incorporate the results of such conduct in an
original mask work which is made to be distributed.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 905(2), the owner
of a particular semiconductor chip product made by the owner of the
mask work, or by any person authorized by the owner of the mask
work, may import, distribute, or otherwise dispose of or use, but
not reproduce, that particular semiconductor chip product without
the authority of the owner of the mask work.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3350.)
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 907 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 907. Limitation on exclusive rights: innocent infringement
-STATUTE-
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an
innocent purchaser of an infringing semiconductor chip product -
(1) shall incur no liability under this chapter with respect to
the importation or distribution of units of the infringing
semiconductor chip product that occurs before the innocent
purchaser has notice of protection with respect to the mask work
embodied in the semiconductor chip product; and
(2) shall be liable only for a reasonable royalty on each unit
of the infringing semiconductor chip product that the innocent
purchaser imports or distributes after having notice of
protection with respect to the mask work embodied in the
semiconductor chip product.
(b) The amount of the royalty referred to in subsection (a)(2)
shall be determined by the court in a civil action for infringement
unless the parties resolve the issue by voluntary negotiation,
mediation, or binding arbitration.
(c) The immunity of an innocent purchaser from liability referred
to in subsection (a)(1) and the limitation of remedies with respect
to an innocent purchaser referred to in subsection (a)(2) shall
extend to any person who directly or indirectly purchases an
infringing semiconductor chip product from an innocent purchaser.
(d) The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c) apply only
with respect to those units of an infringing semiconductor chip
product that an innocent purchaser purchased before having notice
of protection with respect to the mask work embodied in the
semiconductor chip product.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3350.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 913 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 908 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 908. Registration of claims of protection
-STATUTE-
(a) The owner of a mask work may apply to the Register of
Copyrights for registration of a claim of protection in a mask
work. Protection of a mask work under this chapter shall terminate
if application for registration of a claim of protection in the
mask work is not made as provided in this chapter within two years
after the date on which the mask work is first commercially
exploited anywhere in the world.
(b) The Register of Copyrights shall be responsible for all
administrative functions and duties under this chapter. Except for
section 708, the provisions of chapter 7 of this title relating to
the general responsibilities, organization, regulatory authority,
actions, records, and publications of the Copyright Office shall
apply to this chapter, except that the Register of Copyrights may
make such changes as may be necessary in applying those provisions
to this chapter.
(c) The application for registration of a mask work shall be made
on a form prescribed by the Register of Copyrights. Such form may
require any information regarded by the Register as bearing upon
the preparation or identification of the mask work, the existence
or duration of protection of the mask work under this chapter, or
ownership of the mask work. The application shall be accompanied by
the fee set pursuant to subsection (d) and the identifying material
specified pursuant to such subsection.
(d) The Register of Copyrights shall by regulation set reasonable
fees for the filing of applications to register claims of
protection in mask works under this chapter, and for other services
relating to the administration of this chapter or the rights under
this chapter, taking into consideration the cost of providing those
services, the benefits of a public record, and statutory fee
schedules under this title. The Register shall also specify the
identifying material to be deposited in connection with the claim
for registration.
(e) If the Register of Copyrights, after examining an application
for registration, determines, in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter, that the application relates to a mask work which is
entitled to protection under this chapter, then the Register shall
register the claim of protection and issue to the applicant a
certificate of registration of the claim of protection under the
seal of the Copyright Office. The effective date of registration of
a claim of protection shall be the date on which an application,
deposit of identifying material, and fee, which are determined by
the Register of Copyrights or by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be acceptable for registration of the claim, have all been
received in the Copyright Office.
(f) In any action for infringement under this chapter, the
certificate of registration of a mask work shall constitute prima
facie evidence (1) of the facts stated in the certificate, and (2)
that the applicant issued the certificate has met the requirements
of this chapter, and the regulations issued under this chapter,
with respect to the registration of claims.
(g) Any applicant for registration under this section who is
dissatisfied with the refusal of the Register of Copyrights to
issue a certificate of registration under this section may seek
judicial review of that refusal by bringing an action for such
review in an appropriate United States district court not later
than sixty days after the refusal. The provisions of chapter 7 of
title 5 shall apply to such judicial review. The failure of the
Register of Copyrights to issue a certificate of registration
within four months after an application for registration is filed
shall be deemed to be a refusal to issue a certificate of
registration for purposes of this subsection and section 910(b)(2),
except that, upon a showing of good cause, the district court may
shorten such four-month period.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3351.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 902, 903, 904, 910, 912,
913 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 909 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 909. Mask work notice
-STATUTE-
(a) The owner of a mask work provided protection under this
chapter may affix notice to the mask work, and to masks and
semiconductor chip products embodying the mask work, in such manner
and location as to give reasonable notice of such protection. The
Register of Copyrights shall prescribe by regulation, as examples,
specific methods of affixation and positions of notice for purposes
of this section, but these specifications shall not be considered
exhaustive. The affixation of such notice is not a condition of
protection under this chapter, but shall constitute prima facie
evidence of notice of protection.
(b) The notice referred to in subsection (a) shall consist of -
(1) the words "mask work", the symbol *M*, or the symbol M (the
letter M in a circle); and
(2) the name of the owner or owners of the mask work or an
abbreviation by which the name is recognized or is generally
known.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3352; amended Pub. L. 105-80, Sec. 12(a)(22), Nov. 13, 1997, 111
Stat. 1535.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1997 - Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105-80 substituted " 'mask work',
the symbol" for " 'mask force', the sumbol".
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 910 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 910. Enforcement of exclusive rights
-STATUTE-
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any person who
violates any of the exclusive rights of the owner of a mask work
under this chapter, by conduct in or affecting commerce, shall be
liable as an infringer of such rights. As used in this subsection,
the term "any person" includes any State, any instrumentality of a
State, and any officer or employee of a State or instrumentality of
a State acting in his or her official capacity. Any State, and any
such instrumentality, officer, or employee, shall be subject to the
provisions of this chapter in the same manner and to the same
extent as any nongovernmental entity.
(b)(1) The owner of a mask work protected under this chapter, or
the exclusive licensee of all rights under this chapter with
respect to the mask work, shall, after a certificate of
registration of a claim of protection in that mask work has been
issued under section 908, be entitled to institute a civil action
for any infringement with respect to the mask work which is
committed after the commencement of protection of the mask work
under section 904(a).
(2) In any case in which an application for registration of a
claim of protection in a mask work and the required deposit of
identifying material and fee have been received in the Copyright
Office in proper form and registration of the mask work has been
refused, the applicant is entitled to institute a civil action for
infringement under this chapter with respect to the mask work if
notice of the action, together with a copy of the complaint, is
served on the Register of Copyrights, in accordance with the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Register may, at his or her
option, become a party to the action with respect to the issue of
whether the claim of protection is eligible for registration by
entering an appearance within sixty days after such service, but
the failure of the Register to become a party to the action shall
not deprive the court of jurisdiction to determine that issue.
(c)(1) The Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Postal
Service shall separately or jointly issue regulations for the
enforcement of the rights set forth in section 905 with respect to
importation. These regulations may require, as a condition for the
exclusion of articles from the United States, that the person
seeking exclusion take any one or more of the following actions:
(A) Obtain a court order enjoining, or an order of the
International Trade Commission under section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930 excluding, importation of the articles.
(B) Furnish proof that the mask work involved is protected
under this chapter and that the importation of the articles would
infringe the rights in the mask work under this chapter.
(C) Post a surety bond for any injury that may result if the
detention or exclusion of the articles proves to be unjustified.
(2) Articles imported in violation of the rights set forth in
section 905 are subject to seizure and forfeiture in the same
manner as property imported in violation of the customs laws. Any
such forfeited articles shall be destroyed as directed by the
Secretary of the Treasury or the court, as the case may be, except
that the articles may be returned to the country of export whenever
it is shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury
that the importer had no reasonable grounds for believing that his
or her acts constituted a violation of the law.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3352; amended Pub. L. 101-553, Sec. 2(b)(1), Nov. 15, 1990, 104
Stat. 2750; Pub. L. 105-80, Sec. 12(a)(23), Nov. 13, 1997, 111
Stat. 1535.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec.
(b)(2), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and
Judicial Procedure.
Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, referred to in subsec.
(c)(1)(A), is classified to section 1337 of Title 19, Customs
Duties.
The customs laws, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), are classified
generally to Title 19.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1997 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105-80 substituted "As used" for "as
used" in second sentence.
1990 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-553 inserted sentences at end
defining "any person" and providing that any State and any
instrumentality, officer, or employee be subject to the provisions
of this chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as any
nongovernmental entity.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101-553 effective with respect to violations
that occur on or after Nov. 15, 1990, see section 3 of Pub. L.
101-553, set out as a note under section 501 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 908, 911, 913 of this
title.
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 911 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 911. Civil actions
-STATUTE-
(a) Any court having jurisdiction of a civil action arising under
this chapter may grant temporary restraining orders, preliminary
injunctions, and permanent injunctions on such terms as the court
may deem reasonable to prevent or restrain infringement of the
exclusive rights in a mask work under this chapter.
(b) Upon finding an infringer liable, to a person entitled under
section 910(b)(1) to institute a civil action, for an infringement
of any exclusive right under this chapter, the court shall award
such person actual damages suffered by the person as a result of
the infringement. The court shall also award such person the
infringer's profits that are attributable to the infringement and
are not taken into account in computing the award of actual
damages. In establishing the infringer's profits, such person is
required to present proof only of the infringer's gross revenue,
and the infringer is required to prove his or her deductible
expenses and the elements of profit attributable to factors other
than the mask work.
(c) At any time before final judgment is rendered, a person
entitled to institute a civil action for infringement may elect,
instead of actual damages and profits as provided by subsection
(b), an award of statutory damages for all infringements involved
in the action, with respect to any one mask work for which any one
infringer is liable individually, or for which any two or more
infringers are liable jointly and severally, in an amount not more
than $250,000 as the court considers just.
(d) An action for infringement under this chapter shall be barred
unless the action is commenced within three years after the claim
accrues.
(e)(1) At any time while an action for infringement of the
exclusive rights in a mask work under this chapter is pending, the
court may order the impounding, on such terms as it may deem
reasonable, of all semiconductor chip products, and any drawings,
tapes, masks, or other products by means of which such products may
be reproduced, that are claimed to have been made, imported, or
used in violation of those exclusive rights. Insofar as
practicable, applications for orders under this paragraph shall be
heard and determined in the same manner as an application for a
temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.
(2) As part of a final judgment or decree, the court may order
the destruction or other disposition of any infringing
semiconductor chip products, and any masks, tapes, or other
articles by means of which such products may be reproduced.
(f) In any civil action arising under this chapter, the court in
its discretion may allow the recovery of full costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, to the prevailing party.
(g)(1) Any State, any instrumentality of a State, and any officer
or employee of a State or instrumentality of a State acting in his
or her official capacity, shall not be immune, under the Eleventh
Amendment of the Constitution of the United States or under any
other doctrine of sovereign immunity, from suit in Federal court by
any person, including any governmental or nongovernmental entity,
for a violation of any of the exclusive rights of the owner of a
mask work under this chapter, or for any other violation under this
chapter.
(2) In a suit described in paragraph (1) for a violation
described in that paragraph, remedies (including remedies both at
law and in equity) are available for the violation to the same
extent as such remedies are available for such a violation in a
suit against any public or private entity other than a State,
instrumentality of a State, or officer or employee of a State
acting in his or her official capacity. Such remedies include
actual damages and profits under subsection (b), statutory damages
under subsection (c), impounding and disposition of infringing
articles under subsection (e), and costs and attorney's fees under
subsection (f).
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3353; amended Pub. L. 101-553, Sec. 2(b)(2), Nov. 15, 1990, 104
Stat. 2750.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101-553 added subsec. (g).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101-553 effective with respect to violations
that occur on or after Nov. 15, 1990, see section 3 of Pub. L.
101-553, set out as a note under section 501 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 913 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 912 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 912. Relation to other laws
-STATUTE-
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall affect any right or remedy held
by any person under chapters 1 through 8 or 10 of this title, or
under title 35.
(b) Except as provided in section 908(b) of this title,
references to "this title" or "title 17" in chapters 1 through 8 or
10 of this title shall be deemed not to apply to this chapter.
(c) The provisions of this chapter shall preempt the laws of any
State to the extent those laws provide any rights or remedies with
respect to a mask work which are equivalent to those rights or
remedies provided by this chapter, except that such preemption
shall be effective only with respect to actions filed on or after
January 1, 1986.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c), nothing in this chapter shall
detract from any rights of a mask work owner, whether under Federal
law (exclusive of this chapter) or under the common law or the
statutes of a State, heretofore or hereafter declared or enacted,
with respect to any mask work first commercially exploited before
July 1, 1983.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 98-620, title III, Sec. 302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3354; amended Pub. L. 100-702, title X, Sec. 1020(b), Nov. 19,
1988, 102 Stat. 4672; Pub. L. 102-563, Sec. 3(c), Oct. 28, 1992,
106 Stat. 4248.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1992 - Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 102-563 inserted "or 10" after
"8".
1988 - Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 100-702 redesignated subsec.
(e) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows:
"The provisions of sections 1338, 1400(a), and 1498(b) and (c) of
title 28 shall apply with respect to exclusive rights in mask works
under this chapter."
-End-
-CITE-
17 USC Sec. 913 01/19/04
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
-HEAD-
Sec. 913. Transitional provisions
-STATUTE-
(a) No application for registration under section 908 may be
filed, and no civil action under section 910 or other enforcement
proceeding under this chapter may be instituted, until sixty days
after the date of the enactment of this chapter.
(b) No monetary relief under section 911 may be granted with
respect to any conduct that occurred before the date of the
enactment of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (d).
(c) Subject to subsection (a), the provisions of this chapter
apply to all mask works that are first commercially exploited or
are registered under this chapter, or both, on or after the date of
the enactment of this chapter.
(d)(1) Subject to subsection (a), protection is available under
this chapter to any mask work that was first commercially exploited
on or after July 1, 1983, and before the date of the enactment of
this chapter, if a claim of protection in the mask work is
registered in the Copyright Office before July 1, 1985, under
section 908.
(2) In the case of any mask work described in paragraph (1) that
is provided protection under this chapter, infringing semiconductor
chip product units manufactured before the date of the enactment of
this chapter may, without liability under sections 910 and 911, be
imported into or distributed in the United States, or both, until
two years after the date of registration of the mask work under
section 908, but only if the importer or distributor, as the ca
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