DMCA Section 1201: Difference between revisions
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Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the [[DMCA]] which prevents users from breaking digital locks.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Copyright.gov |date=2018 |title=Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |url=https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/ |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Law.cornell.edu |title=17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=Cornell Law School}}</ref> This law was created to combat piracy, but it allows for much further corporate overreach, such as the [[Feature Ransom|feature ransom]] and [[discontinuation bricking]] of smart devices by their manufacturers. | Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the [[DMCA]] which prevents users from breaking digital locks.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Copyright.gov |date=2018 |title=Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |url=https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/ |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Law.cornell.edu |title=17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=Cornell Law School}}</ref> This law was created to combat piracy, but it allows for much further corporate overreach, such as the [[Feature Ransom|feature ransom]] and [[discontinuation bricking]] of smart devices by their manufacturers. | ||
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This law is also why [https://bounties.fulu.org/ FULU Bounty] winners cannot share their solutions legally in the United States. | This law is also why [https://bounties.fulu.org/ FULU Bounty] winners cannot share their solutions legally in the United States. | ||
== | ==Anti-consumer incidents enabled by section 1201== | ||
With the assurance of DMCA Section 1201 preventing owners of devices from breaking digital locks, manufacturers intentionally create digital locks on their products to generate higher profits. | With the assurance of DMCA Section 1201 preventing owners of devices from breaking digital locks, manufacturers intentionally create digital locks on their products to generate higher profits. | ||
===Echelon bike firmware update=== | ===Echelon bike firmware update=== | ||
Revision as of 16:22, 3 April 2026
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- Main article: Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the DMCA which prevents users from breaking digital locks.[1][2] This law was created to combat piracy, but it allows for much further corporate overreach, such as the feature ransom and discontinuation bricking of smart devices by their manufacturers.
Why this is problematic
The law is problematic, as since it prevents users from being able to break any digital lock, manufacturers can remotely modify user’s devices in order to force a subscription or brick a device in a way that forces the user to buy a new one, under this law. Usually the remote modifications of devices are performed over the internet which is why manufacturers require the devices to be connected at all times.[3]
This law is also why FULU Bounty winners cannot share their solutions legally in the United States.
Anti-consumer incidents enabled by section 1201
With the assurance of DMCA Section 1201 preventing owners of devices from breaking digital locks, manufacturers intentionally create digital locks on their products to generate higher profits.
Echelon bike firmware update
Main article: Echelon fitness firmware lockout
Echelon remotely changed the firmware on its bikes in order to gain money from subscriptions. Echelon also removed third-party applications that granted users more features.[4]
Nest Thermostat losing features
Main article: Google Nest thermostat smart features disabled
Nest Thermostats have had their smart feature disabled.[5]
Futurehome Subscription
Main article: Futurehome Smarthub mandatory subscription fee
Futurehome had forced a subscription upon 30,000 their customers in order to use a product that they had purchased.[6]
John Deere’s Tractors
John Deere’s tractors use digital locks to prevent farmers and independent repair technicians from repairing the equipment. John Deere’s motivation for this practice is to send in their own repair technicians so that they can secure the profit from the repair.[7][8]
HP printer firmware’s DRM
Main article: HP systemic DRM and firmware lockouts
HP uses DRM to force users to pay for certified HP ink rather than cheaper aftermarket ink, hindering competition.[9][10]
See Also
References
- ↑ Copyright.gov (2018). "Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works". U.S. Copyright Office. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ↑ Law.cornell.edu. "17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems". Cornell Law School. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ↑ Harrison, William (6 Aug 2026). "Why Smart Device Bricking Fuels the Push for Offline Options and Open IoT Standards". Msn. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ↑ Rossmann, Louis (25 Jul 2025). "FULU Foundation offers $20,000 bounty to unbrick echelon bikes". Youtube. Retrieved 6 Mar 2026.
- ↑ Rossmann, Louis (6 Nov 2025). "This thermostat's about to leave the nest :D". Youtube. Retrieved 10 Mar 2026.
- ↑ Rossmann, Louis (23 Jul 2025). "Futurehome was subsidized by taxpayers before ransomwaring 30,000 customers w/ bankruptcy scam 🤦". Youtube. Retrieved 6 Mar 2026.
- ↑ Hogg, Luke (8 Jan 2024). "How John Deere Hijacked Copyright Law To Keep You From Tinkering With Your Tractor". FAI. Retrieved 9 Mar 2026.
- ↑ Compton, Sophia (6 Sep 2025). "American farmer demands right to repair own equipment amid soaring costs: 'Money is tight'". Fox Business. Retrieved 9 Mar 2026.
- ↑ Rossmann, Louis (28 May 2023). "HP printer with ink DRM gets "environmentally friendly" stamp of approval 😞". Youtube. Retrieved 7 Mar 2026.
- ↑ Harding, Scharon (9 Jan 2024). "HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly". Arstechnica. Retrieved 7 Mar 2026.