DMCA Anti-Circumvention Rules
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Anti-Circumvention Rules (Section 1201) makes it illegal to circumvent technological protection measures (TPMs) on software and other copyrighted works. From cellphones to farm equipment, e-readers and iPads to video games, TPMs are software that prevents a user from copying or making changes to a work, even if those changes are lawful. Under Section 1201, every three years (last conducted in 2018) the Copyright Office, in consultation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, reviews applications to allow circumvention of TPMs. Only the Librarian of Congress can approve the exemptions, which are then adopted for a three-year period before users must re-apply for another exemption.
Re:Create opposes DMCA anti-circumvention rules because they…
- Infringe fair use rights for creators and innovators.
- Present barriers to consumers’ right to repair technology products they own.
- Allow content companies to control how owners of digital media use their own property and block lawful uses, including fair uses.
- Allow companies to prevent consumers from repairing their own property, block third-party add-ons and refills and engage in anti-competitive and anti-consumer behavior.