Title 17, CopyrightsRelease 119-110
§1509 Relationship to Other District Court Actions
Title 17 › CHAPTER 15 — COPYRIGHT SMALL CLAIMS › § 1509
Summary
A U.S. district court must pause (or give other appropriate relief) for any claim that is already pending before the Copyright Claims Board, unless section 1507(b) says otherwise. A proceeding before the Copyright Claims Board counts as an alternative dispute resolution process under section 651 of title 28, so district courts may refer eligible cases there if both parties agree.
Full Legal Text
Title 17, §1509
Copyrights, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Stay of District Court Proceedings.—
Subject to section 1507(b), a district court of the United States shall issue a stay of proceedings or such other relief as the court determines appropriate with respect to any claim brought before the court that is already the subject of a pending or active proceeding before the Copyright Claims Board.
(b)Alternative Dispute Resolution Process.—
A proceeding before the Copyright Claims Board under this chapter shall qualify as an alternative dispute resolution process under section 651 of title 28 for purposes of referral of eligible cases by district courts of the United States upon the consent of the parties.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
17 U.S.C. § 1509
Title 17, Copyrights
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110