[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 122, 110th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

122 STAT. 4972

Public Law 110-434
110th Congress

An Act


 
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. [NOTE: Oct. 16, 2008 -  [H.R. 6531]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, [NOTE: Vessel
Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008.
SECTION 1. VESSEL HULL DESIGN PROTECTION.

(a) Short [NOTE: 17 USC 101 note.   Title.--This Act may be cited
as the ``Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008''.

(b) Designs Protected.--Section 1301(a) of title 17, United States
Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Vessel features.--The design of a vessel hull, deck,
or combination of a hull and deck, including a plug or mold, is
subject to protection under this chapter, notwithstanding
section 1302(4).''.

(c) Exceptions.--Section 1301(a) of title 17, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Exceptions.--Department of Defense rights in a
registered design under this chapter, including the right to
build to such registered design, shall be determined solely by
operation of section 2320 of title 10 or by the instrument under
which the design was developed for the United States
Government.''.

(d) Definitions.--Section 1301(b) of title 17, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``vessel hull, including a
plug or mold,'' and inserting ``vessel hull or deck, including a
plug or mold,'';
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) A `hull' is the exterior frame or body of a vessel,
exclusive of the deck, superstructure, masts, sails, yards,
rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) A `deck' is the horizontal surface of a vessel that
covers the hull, including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces,

[[Page 4973]]
122 STAT. 4973

and exclusive of masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware,
fixtures, and other attachments.''.

Approved October 16, 2008.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 6531:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 154 (2008):
July 22, considered and passed House.
Sept. 30, considered and passed Senate.