The Digital Millennium Copyright Act

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) seeks to prevent copying by 1) prohibiting individuals from breaking digital locks used to protect copyrighted works; and 2) prohibiting anybody from manufacturing or selling any device or service that would permit the breaking of digital locks. These sections of the DMCA are called the “anti-circumvention” provisions. It also contains provisions that exempt Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from being held liable for their customers’ infringement if they satisfy certain conditions.