Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
As the internet has matured, legislation has played an increasingly important role in determining what ends up online. An important piece of early internet copyright legislation is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), passed in 1998. The DMCA is known for several provisions. One criminalizes attempts to circumvent digital rights management (DRM) access control measures. Another provides a mechanism—known as a takedown notice—allowing copyright owners to request that copyrighted content made available illegally online be removed. The DMCA also provides safe harbor provisions exempting websites and internet service providers from liability if their users post copyrighted material. The DMCA has been criticized repeatedly since its inception, mainly by groups concerned with its chilling effects on consumer freedoms, competition, and free speech.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
As the internet has matured, legislation has played an increasingly important role in determining what ends up online. An important piece of early internet copyright legislation is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), passed in 1998. The DMCA is known for several provisions. One criminalizes attempts to circumvent digital rights management (DRM) access control measures. Another provides a mechanism—known as a takedown notice—allowing copyright owners to request that copyrighted content made available illegally online be removed. The DMCA also provides safe harbor provisions exempting websites and internet service providers from liability if their users post copyrighted material. The DMCA has been criticized repeatedly since its inception, mainly by groups concerned with its chilling effects on consumer freedoms, competition, and free speech.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
