DMCA
What does "DMCA" mean in law?
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), enacted in 1998, is a federal statute that addresses copyright issues arising from digital technology. Its most significant provisions include: section 512, which creates safe harbor protections for online service providers from liability for users' infringing activity, provided they implement a notice-and-takedown system and expeditiously remove infringing content upon notification; and section 1201, which prohibits circumvention of technological protection measures (DRM) used to control access to copyrighted works. In A&M Records v. Napster (2001), the court found that Napster could not avail itself of the DMCA's safe harbor provisions because it had actual knowledge of infringing activity and materially contributed to it rather than taking steps to prevent it.
Definition
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), enacted in 1998, is a federal statute that addresses copyright issues arising from digital technology. Its most significant provisions include: section 512, which creates safe harbor protections for online service providers from liability for users' infringing activity, provided they implement a notice-and-takedown system and expeditiously remove infringing content upon notification; and section 1201, which prohibits circumvention of technological protection measures (DRM) used to control access to copyrighted works. In A&M Records v. Napster (2001), the court found that Napster could not avail itself of the DMCA's safe harbor provisions because it had actual knowledge of infringing activity and materially contributed to it rather than taking steps to prevent it.
Example
When a copyright holder discovers their film uploaded without authorization on YouTube, they can submit a DMCA takedown notice, and YouTube must promptly remove the content to maintain its safe harbor protection from infringement liability.