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17 U.S.C. § 117

Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer programs

United States · Title 17 — COPYRIGHTS · Status: effective

Technology & Telecommunications
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17 U.S.C. § 117, Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer programs, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/448477
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Full text

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided: Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner or lessee of a machine to make or authorize the making of a copy of a computer program if such copy is made solely by virtue of the activation of a machine that lawfully contains an authorized copy of the computer program, for purposes only of maintenance or repair of that machine, if— For purposes of this section—

Legislative history

The public laws that enacted or amended this section. Tallies are for the whole bill as it passed each chamber — often an omnibus covering far more than this provision — not a vote on this section alone.

  • Enacted byPub. L. 94-553(S. 22)1976-10-19
    An Act for the general revision of the Copyright Law, title 17 of the United States Code, and for other purposes.
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 96-517(H.R. 6933)1980-12-12
    An act to amend the patent and trademark laws.
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 105-304(H.R. 2281)1998-10-28
    Digital Millennium Copyright Act
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally