Schumer Bill Would Update Copyright Code for Importers

Sen. Chuck Schumer introduced a bill Sept. 10 (S-3523) that would update Copyright Law in Section 17 of the U.S. Code to protect fashion design and adjust language on importers. The bill would update 17 U.S.C. Section 1309 (b), describing what's considered copyright infringement. The code currently says "A seller or distributor of an infringing article who did not make or import the article shall be deemed to have infringed on a design protected under this chapter only if that person ... induced or acted in collusion with a manufacturer to make, or an importer to import such article, except that merely purchasing or giving an order to purchase such article in the ordinary course of business shall not of itself constitute such inducement or collusion." The bill would remove "or an importer to import." The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.