H.R.1417 Bill was approved by a vote of 406-0 Burgess Voted Yes Title:To amend title 17, United States Code, to replace copyright arbitration royalty panels with Copyright Royalty Judges. Sponsor: Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] (introduced 3/25/2003) Cosponsors: 2 Committees: House Judiciary; Senate Judiciary House Reports: 108-408 Latest Major Action: 3/4/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 3/25/2003--Introduced. Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2003 - Amends Federal copyright law to replace the occasional three-member copyright arbitration royalty panels with a full-time, independent Copyright Royalty Judge, appointed by the Librarian of Congress. Requires the Judge to appoint two full-time staff assistants. Revises requirements for copyright royalty proceedings.