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right revision bill S. 1006. Hearings on this legislation were commenced by the Subcommittee on August 18, 1965, and continued on August 19 and 20. When the hearings were recessed, a large number of witnesses remained to be heard. During the 2d session of the 89th Congress there were important developments relating to the possible copyright liability of cable television systems under the Copyright Act of 1909. In order to ascertain whether immediate and separate legislative action on the copyright CATV question was necessary and desirable, the Subcommittee commenced hearings on that subject on August 2, 1966. These hearings continued on August 3, 4 and 25. No further action was taken by the Subcommittee during the 89th Congress.
In the last session of the 90th Congress Senator McClellan again, at the request of the Librarian of Congress, introduced S. 597, for the general revision of the copyright law. Hearings on this bill commenced on March 15, 1967 and continued on March 16, 17, 20, 21, April 4, 6, 11, 12 and 28. During the Subcommittee hearings more than 100 witnesses were heard and many suggested amendments were submitted for the consideration of the Subcommittee.
On April 11, 1967, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2512, for the general revision of the copyright law. This bill was subsequently referred to the Subcommittee on Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights. Although the Subcommittee completed the public hearings on copyright revision during the 90th Congress. no further action was taken by the Subcommittee because of problems with certain provisions of the legislation, and because of the pendency of the cable television judicial proceedings.
One of the problems that prevented Subcommittee action during the 90th Congress was uncertainty concerning the impact of the legislation on the use of copyrighted materials in computers and other forms of information storage and retrieval systems. The Subcommittee recommended and the Senate passed on October 12, 1976, S. 2216 to establish in the Library of Congress a National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works. The Commission was authorized to study this subject and recommend any changes in copyright law or procedure. No action was taken on this legislation by the House of Representatives.
On January 22 (legislative day January 10), 1969, Senator McClellan introduced S. 543. Title I of this bill, other than for technical amendments, was identical to S. 597 of the 90th Congress. Title II of the bill incorporated the provisions of S. 2216 providing for the establishment of the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works.
On December 10, 1969, the Subcommittee favorably reported S. 543, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. No further action was taken in the Committee on the Judiciary, primarily because of the cable television issue.
On February 18, 1971, Senator McClellan introduced S. 644 for the general revision of the copyright law. Other than for minor amendments, the text of that bill was identical to the revision bill reported by the Subcommittee in the 91st Congress. No action was taken on general revision legislation during the 92nd Congress while the sub-
