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The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a law that
the United States put into place in 1998 through a unanimous vote in the
Senate. This act criminalizes the sharing of devices, services used to pirate
digital media, and the sharing of technology. This includes services meant to
get around digital rights management software, which helps to control who has
access to copyrighted works. One of the largest changes that this act makes is
the exemption of liability from both Internet service providers and other
intermediary technological services.
Here is a rundown of the provisions of the DMCA:
·
Title I: WIPO
Copyright and performances and Phonograms Treaties Implementation Act - It
modifies United States copyright law to be in compliance with the two
international treaties from which it derives its name.
·
Title II:
Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act – Title II provides
a safe harbor ability for Internet service providers. It limits their liability
with regard to copyright infringement claims so long as they are able to meet
certain requirements.
·
Title
III: Computer Maintenance Competition Assurance Act – Title III allows for
individuals or companies repairing computers or making computer modifications
to make temporary copies of files found on this computers in accordance with
the work that they are doing.
·
Title IV:
Miscellaneous Provisions – Including broadcast copy provisions, duties of
the Copyright Office, collective bargaining and movie rights provisions, provisions
designed to help with education across distances, and provisions meant to help
libraries keep and preserve various sound-recordings.
·
Title V:
Vessel Hull Design Protection Act –
This adds protections under copyright law for boat hull designs. Formerly,
these were not covered under copyright law under the auspices that their form
could not be separated cleanly from their function.
This act has been one of the primary tools used by copyright
lawyers to combat the piracy of digital media in the United States. A complete
summary of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act can be found at the United States Copyright
Office website.
