Audio Home Recording Act of 1992

The Audio Home Recording Act requires that manufacturers of digital audio recording devices and digital audio interface devices incorporate features that limit serial copying. The hardware is programmed to read certain coding information contained in the "digital subcode channel" of digital sound recordings and broadcasts. Based on the information it reads, the hardware circuitry will permit unrestricted copying, permit copying but label the copies it makes with codes to restrict further copying, or disallow copying entirely.

The serial copy management system allows unlimited first generation copying &mdash; digital reproduction of originals (such as CDs distributed by record companies), but prevents further digital copying from those reproductions.