The Copyright Office has the authority to issue three-year exemptions to that blanket ban, carving out space for DVD-ripping film school profs, for instance, or making it legal for people to bypass DRM in order to unlock cell phones.

Jack Byrne, the president of the national speed-skating association, said Thometz had been issued exemptions only for the 500 and 1,000 events, and could no longer qualify for the 1,500.

The agreement, he wrote, "does not solve the moral and national problem of issuing sweeping exemptions from military service to a single sector: the ultra-Orthodox."

The SEC and the federal banking agencies may jointly issue exemptions, exceptions, and adjustments to the rules issues provided that they:

Just last week, when Ballesteros criticized the United States Golf Association for issuing special exemptions to the '94 United States Open to Johnny Miller and Arnold Palmer and not to him, it seemed that his pouting was misplaced.

The federation said it would support track's world governing body if it decides to issue exemptions for reigning world and Olympic champions.

After heavy lobbying by foreign companies, the commission issued several exemptions so that the law would not fundamentally alter the roles played by competing corporate structures in countries like Germany, Italy and Japan.

"An administrative agency, including the E.E.O.C., may not issue regulations, rules or exemptions that go against the intent of Congress," she added.

The State Defense Act of 1949, which called for drafting all individuals in the country, allowed the minister to issue exemptions for certain groups.