§2566. Time limitation on damages

(a) No recovery shall be had for that part of any infringement committed more than six years (or known to the owner more than one year) prior to the filing of the complaint or counterclaim for infringement in the action.

(b) In the case of claims against the United States Government for unauthorized use of a protected variety, the period between the date of receipt of written claim for compensation by the department or agency of the Government having authority to settle such claim, and the date of mailing by the Government of a notice to the claimant that the claim has been denied shall not be counted as part of the period referred to in the preceding paragraph.

( Pub. L. 91–577, title III, §126, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1556 ; Pub. L. 103–349, §13(u), Oct. 6, 1994, 108 Stat. 3144 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–349 substituted "the" for "his" before "claim has been denied".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–349 effective 180 days after Oct. 6, 1994, see section 15 of Pub. L. 103–349, set out as a note under section 2401 of this title.