2016 US Code
Title 17 - Copyrights
Chapter 9 - Protection of Semiconductor Chip Products
Sec. 906 - Limitation on exclusive rights: reverse engineering; first sale

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Citation 17 U.S.C. § 906 (2016)
Section Name §906. Limitation on exclusive rights: reverse engineering; first sale
Section Text

(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 Credit

(Added Pub. L. 98–620, title III, §302, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3350.)

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 17 - COPYRIGHTS
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 17 - COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 9 - PROTECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PRODUCTS
Sec. 906 - Limitation on exclusive rights: reverse engineering; first sale
Contains section 906
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large Reference 98 Stat. 3350
Public Law References Public Law 98-620
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