Index
Copyright LawUnited States

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Summary

The DMCA addresses the relationship between copyright and the internet, establishing 'safe harbor' for online service providers and prohibiting the circumvention of digital locks (DRM).

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    Right to issue takedown notices for infringing content
  • 02.
    Right to protection from liability for service providers who comply with takedown requests
  • 03.
    Right to use copyrighted materials for certain educational or research purposes under specific exemptions

Penalties

  • 01.
    Civil damages ranging from $200 to $2,500 per act of circumvention
  • 02.
    Criminal penalties up to $500,000 in fines or 5 years in prison for first offenses
  • 03.
    Statutory damages for copyright infringement up to $150,000 per work

Verified Citations

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