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Managing America: Transportation

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Week Ending July 25, 2008

H.R.6531 To amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck.

A hull of a vessel is the exterior frame or body of a vessel exclusive of the deck, superstructure, masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures and other attachments. The deck is defined as the horizontal surface of a vessel that covers the hull including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces buy excludes mast, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures and other attachments.

This bill combines the hulk and the deck in the perspective of copyrights and establishes as an exception Department of Defense rights in a registered design including the right to build to the design if the design was developed for the US government.

Sponsor:  Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA-28^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote July 22, 2008. Agreed to in the Senate. H.R. 6531 / Public Law 110-434

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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