[19991019]RS20361_NONCREATIVE DATABASE BILLS IN THE HOUSE.pdf

For more detail on the background of the legislation, including the applicability of copyright1law to noncreative databases and the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Feist Publications v. RuralTelephone Service Co., 499 U.S. 340 (1991), see CRS Report 98-902, “Intellectual PropertyProtection for Noncreative Databases,” by Dorothy Schrader and Robin Jeweler, Sept. 15, 1999.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20361October 19, 1999Noncreative Database Bills in the HouseRobin JewelerLegislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryTwo House bills from the 106 Congress which would establish sui generisthprotection for noncreative databases have been reported favorably from their respectivecommittees. H.R. 354, the “Collections of Information Antipiracy Act,” would createcivil and criminal causes of action against those who unlawfully misappropriate computerdatabases. H.R. 1858, the “Consumer and Investor Access to Information Act of 1999,”would direct the Federal Trade Commission to police unlawful duplication of computerdatabase information.This report summarizes the bills and notes distinctions between them