§ 507 - Limitations on actions

CHAPTER 5— COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND REMEDIES

(a) Except as expressly provided otherwise in this title, no criminal proceeding shall be maintained under the provisions of this title unless it is commenced within 5 years after the cause of action arose.

(b) No civil action shall be maintained under the provisions of this title unless it is commenced within three years after the claim accrued.

Notes

house report no. 94–1476

Section 507, which is substantially identical with section 115 of the present law [section 115 of former title 17], establishes a three-year statute of limitations for both criminal proceedings and civil actions. The language of this section, which was adopted by the act of September 7, 1957 (71 Stat. 633) [Pub. L. 85–313, § 1, Sept. 7, 1957, 71 Stat. 633], represents a reconciliation of views, and has therefore been left unaltered.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–304 substituted “Except as expressly provided otherwise in this title, no” for “No”.

1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–147 substituted “5” for “three”.