The DMCRA: A Kinder, Gentler DMCA

A few years ago, Congress passed the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. I could tell you what it does, but instead I'll crib this quote from Public Knowledge:

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibits the circumvention, or bypassing, of technology controls that restrict access to or copying of digital media (CDs, DVDs, Streamed Content, e-books). The DMCA also prohibits the distribution of means to bypass these controls. Unfortunately, the DMCA does not account for non-infringing, legal use and access and scientific research. In other words, it might be legal, under copyright laws, for you to copy or access purchased content, but the DMCA prohibits, and makes criminal, the activity nonetheless if you bypass a technology control to perform the legal activity.

Since the law was passed, it's been used to illegally issue subpoenas, prosecute people who tried to back up their music, and outlaw knock-off toner cartridges. In these cases, the DMCA served essentially as an override for rights that consumers used to enjoy with 'traditional' media.

A new piece of legislation called the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act is making its way through the House of Representatives. It seeks to return some of these rights to the consumer, and it needs our support. Go to this site at the Electronic Frontier Foundation to have a letter sent to your representative. Registration at the site is NOT required.

Thanks to Ars Technica for the call to action.