DMCA
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
DMCA
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
On October 12, 1998, Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The law became effective in October 2000 and it has been incorporated into the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the U. S. Code). This landmark legislation updated U.S. copyright law to meet the demands of the Digital Age and to conform U.S. law to the requirements of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and treaties that the U.S. signed in 1996.
Despite the work of libraries and other partners, dedicated to preserving the traditional balance in copyright law between protecting information and affording access to it, the DMCA tilts strongly in favor of copyright holders.
In addition to creating new rules for digital materials, the DMCA mandates several important studies and reports to be conducted by the U.S. Copyright Office and sets the time frames for their completion. (ALA Website)Summary of the DMCA.
Full text of the DMCA
Impact on Libraries:
Section 108: Photocopying by Libraries and Archives affects library photocopying and interlibrary loan services.
For more information see ALA web site.
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