Digital Millennium Copyright Act - Revision history

Louis: /* Title I: Anti-circumvention (Section 1201) */

2026-04-12T23:14:55Z

Title I: Anti-circumvention (Section 1201)

Louis: Fixed invalid tags with integer names

2026-04-12T23:02:56Z

Fixed invalid <ref> tags with integer names

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:02, 12 April 2026
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	=== Title II: Safe harbor (Section 512) ===		=== Title II: Safe harbor (Section 512) ===

	Title II created Section 512 of the Copyright Act, establishing four safe harbors for online service providers (OSPs) against copyright infringement liability.<ref name="~~512~~">17 U.S.C. § 512.</ref>		Title II created Section 512 of the Copyright Act, establishing four safe harbors for online service providers (OSPs) against copyright infringement liability.<ref name="sec512">17 U.S.C. § 512.</ref>

	'''Section 512(a)''' protects ISPs acting as conduits for data transmission. '''Section 512(b)''' covers system caching. '''Section 512(c)''', the most frequently invoked safe harbor, protects platforms hosting user-generated content (YouTube, social media) from liability provided they lack actual knowledge of specific infringing material, receive no direct financial benefit from the infringement where they can control it, & remove content promptly upon receiving a valid notice.<ref name="~~512~~" /> '''Section 512(d)''' covers search engines & directories that link to infringing material.		'''Section 512(a)''' protects ISPs acting as conduits for data transmission. '''Section 512(b)''' covers system caching. '''Section 512(c)''', the most frequently invoked safe harbor, protects platforms hosting user-generated content (YouTube, social media) from liability provided they lack actual knowledge of specific infringing material, receive no direct financial benefit from the infringement where they can control it, & remove content promptly upon receiving a valid notice.<ref name="sec512" /> '''Section 512(d)''' covers search engines & directories that link to infringing material.

	To qualify for any safe harbor, an OSP must adopt & "reasonably implement" a policy for terminating repeat infringers under Section 512(i), & must register a designated agent with the Copyright Office to receive takedown notices.<ref name="~~512~~" />		To qualify for any safe harbor, an OSP must adopt & "reasonably implement" a policy for terminating repeat infringers under Section 512(i), & must register a designated agent with the Copyright Office to receive takedown notices.<ref name="sec512" />

	==== Notice-and-takedown procedure ====		==== Notice-and-takedown procedure ====

	Section 512 established an extrajudicial mechanism for copyright enforcement. A copyright holder sends a written notice to the OSP's designated agent identifying the infringed work, the infringing material (usually by URL), & a statement of good faith belief that the use is unauthorized, signed under penalty of perjury.<ref name="~~512~~" /> The OSP must "expeditiously" remove the material to maintain safe harbor immunity.		Section 512 established an extrajudicial mechanism for copyright enforcement. A copyright holder sends a written notice to the OSP's designated agent identifying the infringed work, the infringing material (usually by URL), & a statement of good faith belief that the use is unauthorized, signed under penalty of perjury.<ref name="sec512" /> The OSP must "expeditiously" remove the material to maintain safe harbor immunity.

	The affected user may file a counter-notification, stating under penalty of perjury that the material was removed by mistake or misidentification. Once a valid counter-notice is filed, the OSP must restore the material within 10 to 14 business days unless the copyright holder files a federal lawsuit.<ref name="~~512~~" />		The affected user may file a counter-notification, stating under penalty of perjury that the material was removed by mistake or misidentification. Once a valid counter-notice is filed, the OSP must restore the material within 10 to 14 business days unless the copyright holder files a federal lawsuit.<ref name="sec512" />

	Section 512(f) creates liability for knowingly material misrepresentations in takedown notices or counter-notices. In practice, courts have set the bar for 512(f) claims so high that the provision provides little deterrent against fraudulent takedowns.<!-- CITATION NEEDED: case law or EFF analysis on 512(f) enforcement difficulty -->		Section 512(f) creates liability for knowingly material misrepresentations in takedown notices or counter-notices. In practice, courts have set the bar for 512(f) claims so high that the provision provides little deterrent against fraudulent takedowns.<!-- CITATION NEEDED: case law or EFF analysis on 512(f) enforcement difficulty -->

Louis: updated google takedown numbers, completed accuracy audit fixes

2026-04-12T22:08:21Z

updated google takedown numbers, completed accuracy audit fixes

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 12 April 2026
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	=== Takedown volume ===		=== Takedown volume ===

	The scale of DMCA takedowns has grown exponentially since the statute's passage. By late 2016, Google had processed 1 billion URL removal requests. ~~By November 2024~~, Google ~~had~~ received ~~its 10 billionth~~ takedown ~~request~~, processing roughly 50 million per week.<ref name="google-transparency">{{Cite web \|title=Google Transparency Report: Copyright \|url=https://transparencyreport.google.com/copyright/overview \|website=Google \|access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref> The Lumen Database, a research project at Harvard Law School, has archived over 67 million takedown notices submitted by copyright holders across platforms.<ref name="lumen">{{Cite web \|title=About Lumen \|url=https://lumendatabase.org/pages/about \|website=Lumen Database, Harvard Law School \|access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref>		The scale of DMCA takedowns has grown exponentially since the statute's passage. By late 2016, Google had processed 1 billion URL removal requests. As of early 2026, Google has received over 16.5 billion takedown requests, processing roughly 50 million per week.<ref name="google-transparency">{{Cite web \|title=Google Transparency Report: Copyright \|url=https://transparencyreport.google.com/copyright/overview \|website=Google \|access-date=12 April 2026}}</ref> The Lumen Database, a research project at Harvard Law School, has archived over 67 million takedown notices submitted by copyright holders across platforms.<ref name="lumen">{{Cite web \|title=About Lumen \|url=https://lumendatabase.org/pages/about \|website=Lumen Database, Harvard Law School \|access-date=12 April 2026}}</ref>

	=== Takedown abuse ===		=== Takedown abuse ===

Louis: rewrote from stub; added full legislative history, all five titles, section 512 safe harbor & abuse, reform proposals, court cases, lobbying section

2026-04-12T18:48:52Z

rewrote from stub; added full legislative history, all five titles, section 512 safe harbor & abuse, reform proposals, court cases, lobbying section

Show changes

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

2026-04-01T12:28:53Z

Minor grammar edits.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 1 April 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital ~~Millenium~~ Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections		The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections

	that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield ~~from liability~~ ISPs that consumers may use to ~~gain~~ access to such information.		that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield ISPs that consumers may use to access such information from liability.

	The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle ~~alongside~~ any new ones.		The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle, along with any new ones.

	This law is one of the earliest to address the digital multimedia era, ~~where previous law was~~ deemed insufficient ~~with~~ the technology of the time ~~period~~ (even though ~~its effect covers~~ all digital information). Although the law is meant to supplement intellectual property rights, there are concerns that it conflicts with consumers' interests. This is due to the specific text of the law, as well as its interpretation being used to attack activity ~~by consumers~~ that would otherwise be permitted. Concerns over Right to Repair, Fair Use, and an overall lack of valid paths to refute or redress accusations of violating the law remain.		This law is one of the earliest to address the digital multimedia era, in which earlier laws were deemed insufficient given the technology of the time (even though their effects cover all digital information). Although the law is meant to supplement intellectual property rights, there are concerns that it conflicts with consumers' interests. This is due to the specific text of the law, as well as to its interpretation being used to attack consumer activity that would otherwise be permitted. Concerns over Right to Repair, Fair Use, and an overall lack of valid paths to refute or redress accusations of violating the law remain.

	==Section 1201==		==Section 1201==
	{{main\|DMCA Section 1201}}		{{main\|DMCA Section 1201}}
	===Anti-Circumvention rule===		===Anti-Circumvention rule===
	The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created ~~under the premise of preventing~~ internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out ~~the ways that~~ corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>		The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created to prevent internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out how corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Left4Code: product cargo removed, probably a bad idea

2026-03-11T17:36:22Z

product cargo removed, probably a bad idea

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 11 March 2026
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	The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections		The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections

	~~{{ProductCargo}}~~

	that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.		that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.

Left4Code: remove this if it's not a good idea, but maybe a productcargo should be added here.

2026-03-11T17:34:50Z

remove this if it's not a good idea, but maybe a productcargo should be added here.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:34, 11 March 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.		The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections

			{{ProductCargo}}

			that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.

	The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle alongside any new ones.		The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle alongside any new ones.

Keith at 16:15, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T16:15:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:15, 5 March 2026
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	==Section 1201==		==Section 1201==
	{{main\|DMCA ~~section~~ 1201}}		{{main\|DMCA Section 1201}}
	===Anti-Circumvention rule===		===Anti-Circumvention rule===
	The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>		The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>

Keith at 16:15, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T16:15:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:15, 5 March 2026
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	==Section 1201==		==Section 1201==
			{{main\|DMCA section 1201}}
	===Anti-Circumvention rule===		===Anti-Circumvention rule===
	The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>		The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>

Zerosugar: citations fixed :p

2026-02-04T02:59:13Z

citations fixed :p

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:59, 4 February 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf ~~Digital Millennium Copyright Act]~~. [https://www.govinfo.gov/ ''GovInfo~~'']. Retrieved 12 Aug, 2025~~</ref><ref name=":0">[https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 ~~Summary for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act]~~. [https://www.congress.gov/ ''Congress.gov~~'']. Retrieved 12 Aug, 2025~~</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.		The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act\|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-28 \|title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf \|archive-date=2026-01-25 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1998-10-08 \|title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act \|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 \|archive-date=2026-02-01 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.

	The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle alongside any new ones.		The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle alongside any new ones.
Line 10:		Line 10:

	===Anti-Circumvention rule===		===Anti-Circumvention rule===
	The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>		The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Doctorow \|first=Cory \|date=2015-12-01 \|title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave \|url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ \|archive-date=2025-09-11 \|access-date=2026-02-03 \|website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==