---
kind: "range"
citation: "2 U.S.C. §§ 179l–179w"
title: "2"
from: "179l"
to: "179w"
count: 12
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/2/179l..179w"
---

# §179l. National Film Registry of Library of Congress


The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) of Congress (hereafter in [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title referred to as the “[Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1)”) shall continue the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry established and maintained under the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–446), and the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–307) pursuant to the provisions of [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title, for the purpose of maintaining and preserving [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.


# §179m. Duties of Librarian of Congress

- (a) **Powers—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall, after consultation with the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) established pursuant to [section 179n of this title](/usc/2/179n.md)—
    - (A) continue the implementation of the comprehensive national [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation program for motion pictures established under the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1992, in conjunction with other [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) archivists, educators and historians, copyright owners, [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) industry representatives, and others involved in activities related to [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation, taking into account the objectives of the national [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation study and the comprehensive national plan conducted under the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1992. This program shall—
      - (i) coordinate activities to assure that efforts of archivists and copyright owners, and others in the public and private sector, are effective and complementary;
      - (ii) generate public awareness of and support for these activities;
      - (iii) increase accessibility of [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) for educational purposes; and
      - (iv) undertake studies and investigations of [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation activities as needed, including the efficacy of new technologies, and recommend solutions to improve these practices;
    - (B) establish criteria and procedures under which [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) may be included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry, except that no [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) shall be eligible for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry until 10 years after such [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3)’s first [publication](/usc/2/179u.md?p=4);
    - (C) establish procedures under which the general public may make recommendations to the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) regarding the inclusion of [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry; and
    - (D) determine which [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) satisfy the criteria established under [subparagraph (B)](#a-1-B) and qualify for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry, except that the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall not select more than 25 [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) each year for inclusion in the Registry.
  - (2) **Publication of films in Registry—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall publish in the Federal Register the name of each [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) that is selected for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry.
  - (3) **Seal—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall provide a seal to indicate that a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) has been included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry and is the [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5) of that [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3). The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall establish guidelines for approval of the use of the seal in accordance with [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Use of seal—** The seal provided under [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3) may only be used on [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) or other approved copies of the [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5) of a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3). Such seal may be used only after the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) has given approval to those persons seeking to apply the seal in accordance with the guidelines under [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3). In the case of copyrighted, mass distributed, broadcast, or published works, only the copyright owner or an authorized licensee of the copyright owner may place or authorize the placement of the seal on any [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) or other approved copy of a [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5) of a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) selected for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry, and the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) may place the seal on any [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) or other approved copy of the [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5) of any [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) that is maintained in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry Collection in the Library of Congress. Anyone authorized to place the seal on any [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) or other approved copy of any [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5) of a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) may accompany such seal with the following language: “This [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) was selected for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry by the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) of the Library of Congress because of its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.”. The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) may authorize the use of the seal by the Library or by others for other limited purposes in order to promote in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry when exhibiting, showing, or otherwise disseminating [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) in the Registry.
- (c) **Coordination of program with other collection, preservation, and accessibility activities—** In carrying out the comprehensive national [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation program for motion pictures established under the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1992, the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1), in consultation with the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) established pursuant to [section 179n of this title](/usc/2/179n.md), shall—
  - (1) carry out activities to make [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) registry more broadly accessible for research and educational purposes, and to generate public awareness and support of the Registry and the comprehensive national [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation program;
  - (2) review the comprehensive national [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation plan, and amend it to the extent necessary to ensure that it addresses technological advances in the preservation and storage of, and access to [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) collections in multiple formats; and
  - (3) wherever possible, undertake expanded initiatives to ensure the preservation of the moving image heritage of the United States, including [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3), videotape, television, and born digital moving image formats, by supporting the work of the National Audio-Visual Conservation [Center](/usc/2/1102.md?p=1) of the Library of Congress, and other appropriate nonprofit archival and preservation organizations.

# §179n. National Film Preservation Board

- (a) **Number and appointment—**
  - (1) **Members—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall establish in the Library of Congress a National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) to be comprised of 22 members, who shall be selected by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) in accordance with this section. Subject to subparagraphs [(C)](#a-1-C) and [(N)](#a-1-N), the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall request each organization listed in [subparagraphs (A) through (Q)](#a-1-A..a-1-Q) to submit a list of three candidates qualified to serve as a member of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2). Except for the members-at-large appointed under subparagraph[^1] (2), the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall appoint one member from each such list submitted by such organizations, and shall designate from that list an alternate who may attend at [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) expense those meetings to which the individual appointed to the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) cannot attend. The organizations are the following:
    - (A) The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    - (B) The Directors Guild of America.
    - (C) The Writers Guild of America. The Writers Guild of America East and the Writers Guild of America West shall each nominate three candidates, and a representative from one organization shall be selected as the member and a representative from the other organization as the alternate.
    - (D) The National Society of [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Critics.
    - (E) The Society for Cinema and Media Studies.
    - (F) The American [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Institute.
    - (G) The Department of [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3), Television, and Digital Media of the School of Theater, [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles.
    - (H) The Department of Cinema Studies of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
    - (I) The University [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) and Video Association.
    - (J) The Motion Picture Association of America.
    - (K) The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
    - (L) Screen Actors Guild.
    - (M) The National Association of Theater Owners.
    - (N) The American Society of Cinematographers and the International Photographers Guild, which shall jointly submit one list of three candidates from which a member and alternate will be selected.
    - (O) The United States Members of the International Federation of [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Archives.
    - (P) The Association of Moving Image Archivists.
    - (Q) The Society of Composers and Lyricists.
  - (2) **Members-at-large—** In addition to the members appointed under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall appoint up to 5 members-at-large. The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall also select an alternate for each member[^2] at-large, who may attend at [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) expense those meetings which the member[^2] at-large cannot attend.
- (b) **Chair—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall appoint one member of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) to serve as Chair.
- (c) **Term of office—**
  - (1) **Terms—** The term of each member of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall be 4 years, except that there shall be no limit to the number of terms that any individual member may serve.
  - (2) **Removal of member or organization—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall have the authority to remove any member of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2), or the organization listed in [subsection (a)](#a) such member represents, if the member, or organization, over any consecutive 2-year period, fails to attend at least one regularly scheduled [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) meeting.
  - (3) **Vacancies—** A vacancy in the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made under [subsection (a)](#a), except that the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) may fill the vacancy from a list of candidates previously submitted by the organization or organizations involved. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy before the expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.
- (d) **Quorum—** 12 members of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.
- (e) **Reimbursement of expenses—** Members of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall serve without pay, but may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections [5702](/usc/5/5702.md) and [5703](/usc/5/5703.md) of title 5.
- (f) **Meetings—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall meet at least once each fiscal year. Meetings shall be at the call of the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1).
- (g) **Conflict of interest—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall establish rules and procedures to address any potential conflict of interest between a member of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) and responsibilities of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).

# §179o. Responsibilities and powers of Board

- (a) **In general—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall review nominations of [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) submitted to it for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry and consult with the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1), as provided in [section 179m of this title](/usc/2/179m.md), with respect to the inclusion of such [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) in the Registry and the preservation of these and other [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
- (b) **Nomination of films—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall consider, for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry, nominations submitted by the general public as well as representatives of the [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) industry, such as the guilds and societies representing actors, directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and other creative artists, producers, and [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) critics, archives and other [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) preservation organizations, and representatives of academic institutions with [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) study programs. The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall nominate not more than 25 [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) each year for inclusion in the Registry.
- (c) **Powers—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may, for the purpose of carrying out its duties, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) and the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) consider appropriate.
  - (2) **Service on Foundation—** Two sitting members of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall be appointed by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1), and shall serve, as [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) members of the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Foundation, in accordance with [section 151703 of title 36](/usc/36/151703.md).

# §179p. National Film Registry Collection of Library of Congress

- (a) **Acquisition of archival quality copies—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall endeavor to obtain, by gift from the owner, an archival quality copy of the [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5) of each [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry. Whenever possible, the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall endeavor to obtain the best surviving materials, including preprint materials. Copyright owners and others possessing copies of such materials are strongly encouraged, to further the preservation purposes of this Act, to provide preprint and other archival elements to the Library of Congress.
- (b) **Additional materials—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall endeavor to obtain, for educational and research purposes, additional materials related to each [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry, such as background materials, production reports, shooting scripts (including continuity scripts) and other similar materials.
- (c) **Property of United States—** All copies of [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) on the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry that are received as gifts or bequests by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) and other materials received by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) under [subsection (b)](#b), shall become the property of the United States Government, subject to the provisions of [title 17](/usc/17.md).
- (d) **National Film Registry Collection—** All copies of [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) on the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry that are received by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section, and other materials received by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) under [subsection (b)](#b), shall be maintained in the Library of Congress and be known as the “National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry Collection of the Library of Congress”. The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall, by regulation, and in accordance with [title 17](/usc/17.md), provide for reasonable access to the [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) and other materials in such collection for scholarly and research purposes.
- (e) **National Audio-Visual Conservation Center—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) shall utilize the National Audio-Visual Conservation [Center](/usc/2/1102.md?p=1) of the Library of Congress at Culpeper, Virginia, to ensure that preserved [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry are stored in a proper manner, and disseminated to researchers, scholars, and the public as may be appropriate in accordance with—
  - (1) [title 17](/usc/17.md); and
  - (2) the terms of any agreements between the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) and persons who hold copyrights to such audiovisual works.

# §179q. Seal of National Film Registry

- (a) **Use of seal—**
  - (1) **Prohibition on distribution and exhibition—** No person shall knowingly distribute or exhibit to the public a version of a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) or any copy in any format of a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) which bears the seal described in [section 179m(a)(3) of this title](/usc/2/179m.md?p=a-3) if such [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3)—
    - (A) is not included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry; or
    - (B) is included in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry, but such [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) or [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) copy has not been approved for use of the seal by the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) pursuant to [section 179m(a)(1)(D) of this title](/usc/2/179m.md?p=a-1-D).
  - (2) **Prohibition on promotion—** No person shall knowingly use the seal described in [section 179m(a)(3) of this title](/usc/2/179m.md?p=a-3) to promote any version of a [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) in any format other than a [Registry version](/usc/2/179u.md?p=5).
- (b) **Effective date of seal—** The use of the seal described in [section 179m(a)(3) of this title](/usc/2/179m.md?p=a-3) shall be effective for each [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) after the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) publishes in the Federal Register, in accordance with [section 179m(a)(2) of this title](/usc/2/179m.md?p=a-2), the name of that [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) as selected for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry.

# §179r. Remedies

- (a) **Jurisdiction—** The several district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, to prevent and restrain violations of [section 179q(a) of this title](/usc/2/179q.md?p=a).
- (b) **Relief—**
  - (1) **Removal of seal—** Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#b-2), relief for violation of [section 179q(a) of this title](/usc/2/179q.md?p=a) shall be limited to the removal of the seal of the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry from the [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) involved in the violation.
  - (2) **Fine and injunctive relief—** In the case of a pattern or practice of the willful violation of [section 179q(a) of this title](/usc/2/179q.md?p=a), the United States district courts may order a civil fine of not more than $10,000 and appropriate injunctive relief.

# §179s. Limitations of remedies


The remedies provided in [section 179r of this title](/usc/2/179r.md) shall be the exclusive remedies under [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title, or any other Federal or State law, regarding the use of the seal described in [section 179m(a)(3) of this title](/usc/2/179m.md?p=a-3).


# §179t. Staff of Board; experts and consultants

- (a) **Staff—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) may appoint and fix the pay of such personnel as the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) considers appropriate to carry out [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title.
- (b) **Experts and consultants—** The [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) may, in carrying out [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title, procure temporary and intermittent services under [section 3109(b) of title 5](/usc/5/3109.md?p=b), but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum rate of basic pay payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule. In no case may a member of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) or an alternate be paid as an expert or consultant under this section.

# §179u. Definitions


As used in [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title—

- (1) the term “Librarian” means the Librarian of Congress;
- (2) the term “Board” means the National [Film](#3) Preservation Board;
- (3) the term “film” means a “motion picture” as defined in [section 101 of title 17](/usc/17/101.md), except that such term does not include any work not originally fixed on film stock, such as a work fixed on videotape or laser disk;
- (4) the term “publication” means “publication” as defined in [section 101 of title 17](/usc/17/101.md); and
- (5) the term “Registry version” means, with respect to a [film](#3), the version of a [film](#3) first published, or as complete a version as bona fide preservation and restoration activities by the [Librarian](#1), an archivist other than the [Librarian](#1), or the copyright owner can compile in those cases where the original material has been irretrievably lost.

# §179v. Authorization of appropriations


There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Librarian](/usc/2/179u.md?p=1) for the first fiscal year beginning on or after October 11, 1996, and each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2026 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title, but in no fiscal year shall such sum exceed $250,000.


# §179w. Effective date


The provisions of [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title shall apply to any copy of any [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3), including those copies of [films](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) selected for inclusion in the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry under the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1988 and the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Preservation Act of 1992, except that any [film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) so selected under either Act shall be deemed to have been selected for the National [Film](/usc/2/179u.md?p=3) Registry under [sections 179l to 179w](/usc/2/179l..179w.md) of this title.