Index
Intellectual PropertyUnited States

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Summary

A law aimed at updating copyright law for the digital age, addressing the circumvention of digital rights management (DRM) and online service provider liability.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    Right of copyright owners to request removal of infringing content from websites via takedown notices.
  • 02.
    Protection for service providers from liability for user-generated content (Safe Harbor).
  • 03.
    Right to protect digital works with technical measures (DRM).

Penalties

  • 01.
    Civil damages for bypassing technical protection measures.
  • 02.
    Criminal penalties for willful violation for commercial advantage (fines up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment for first offense).
  • 03.
    Loss of Safe Harbor protection for non-compliant service providers.

Verified Citations

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