§2117. Limitation on liability

When letters and other intellectual productions (exclusive of patented material, published works under copyright protection, and unpublished works for which copyright registration has been made) come into the custody or possession of the Archivist, the United States or its agents are not liable for infringement of copyright or analogous rights arising out of use of the materials for display, inspection, research, reproduction, or other purposes.

( Pub. L. 90–620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1291 , §2113; Pub. L. 94–553, §105(b), Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2599 ; renumbered §2117 and amended Pub. L. 98–497, title I, §§102(a)(1), 107(a)(7), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2280 , 2286.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., §400 (June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title V, §510, as added Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, §6(d), 64 Stat. 583 ).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1984-Pub. L. 98–497, §107(a)(7), substituted "Archivist" for "Administrator of General Services".

1976-Pub. L. 94–553 substituted "productions (exclusive of patented material, published works under copyright protection, and unpublished works for which copyright registration has been made) come into the custody or possession of the Administrator of General Services, the United States or its agents are not liable for infringement of copyright or analogous rights" for "productions, exclusive of material copyrighted or patented, come into the custody or possession of the Administrator of General Services, the United States or its agents are not liable for infringement of literary property rights or analogous rights".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–497 effective Apr. 1, 1985, see section 301 of Pub. L. 98–497, set out as a note under section 2102 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–553 effective Jan. 1, 1978, see section 102 of Pub. L. 94–553, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 17, Copyrights.