Representative Scott Klug in the House of Representatives (Cong. Rec. H10621) (daily ed. Oct. 12, 1998):
The second change the conferees insisted upon was a "no mandate" provision. This language ensures that manufacturers of future digital telecommunications, computer, and consumer electronics products will have the freedom to choose parts and components in designing new equipment. Specifically, Section 1201(c)(3) provides that nothing in the subsection requires that the design of, or design and selection of parts and components for, a consumer electronics, telecommunications, or computer product provide for a response to any particular technological measure, so long as the device does not otherwise violate the section. With my colleague from Virginia, Representative Boucher, I originally persuaded the members of the Commerce Committee to delete the "so long as" phrase of the original Senate version. Our thinking, confirmed by committee counsel, was that this language was not just circular, but created serious ambiguity and uncertainty for product manufacturers because it was not clear whether a court, judging the circumstances after the fact, would find that specific products fell within the scope of this provision and thus had to be designed to respond to protection measures. And, it is entirely possible that these protective measures may require conflicting responses by the products.

The conferees added back the language we struck, but in a context in which the "so long as" clause had some clear, understandable meaning. The language agreed to by the conferees mandates a response by specified analog devices to two known analog protection measures, thereby limiting the applicability of the "so long as" clause. In my opinion, spelling out this single, specific limitation will provide manufacturers, particularly those working on innovative digital products, the certainty they need to design their products to respond to market conditions, not the threat of lawsuits.

Both of these changes share one other important characteristic. Given the language contained in the Judiciary Committee’s original bill, specifically sections 1201(a)(1), (a)(2), and (b)(1), there was great reason to believe that one of the fundamental laws of copyright was about to be overruled. That law, known as Sony Corporation of America v. Universal Studios, 464 U.S. 417 (198), reinforced the centuries-old concept of fair use. It also validated the legitimacy of products if capable of substantial non-infringing uses. The original version of the legislation threatened this standard, imposing liability on device manufacturers if the product is of limited commercial value.

Now, I’m not a lawyer, but it seems irrational to me to change the standard without at least some modest showing that such a change is necessary. And, changing the standard, in a very real sense, threatens the very innovation and ingenuity that have been the hallmark of American products, both hardware and content-related. I’m very pleased that the conferees have meaningfully clarified that the Sony decision remains valid law. They have also successfully limited the interpretation of Sections 1201(a)(2) and (b)(1), the "device" provisions, to outlaw only those products having no legitimate purpose. As the conference report makes clear, these two sections now must be read to support, not stifle, staple articles of commerce, such as consumer electronics, telecommunications, and computer products used by businesses and consumers everyday, for perfectly legitimate purposes.

Finally, the conferees included specific language allowing product manufacturers to adjust their products to accommodate adverse effects caused by technological protection measures and copyright management information systems. These measures could have the effect of materially degrading authorized performances or displays of works, or causing recurring appreciably adverse effects. But, there was real fear in the manufacturing and retail communities of liability for circumvention if they took steps to mitigate the problem. I also felt particularly strong that consumers have the right to expect that the products they purchase will live up to their expectations and the retailing hype. So, the Commerce Committee faced another balancing act--preserving the value of the creative community while also affording consumers some basic protections and guarantees.

We were only able to achieve directive report language on "playability" in the committee process. Using the base established by the Commerce Committee, the conferees were able to craft explicit language exempting makers and servicers of consumer electronics, telecommunications, or computing products from liability if acting solely to mitigate playability problems. With this absolute assurance of freedom from suit under such circumstances, manufacturers should feel free to make product adjustments, and retailers, and professional services should not be burdened with the threat of litigation in repairing products for their customers.