What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)?

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a United States law that protects copyright holders from unauthorized use of their intellectual property. The law was enacted in 1998 and applies to all types of digital media, including software, music, movies, and other forms of digital works. The DMCA not only makes it illegal for people to make copies of a copyrighted work without permission from the owner, but also makes it illegal to deactivate any copyright protection that has been applied to the work. This means that if you download a digital file, you must keep the copy encrypted and secure. The DMCA also protects service providers from copyright infringement charges. If someone uses a service provider to illegally distribute copyrighted material, the law states that the service provider will not be held liable as long as they notify the copyright holder and take down the material as soon as they are notified. In Mississippi, the DMCA is enforced by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and any violation of the law is punishable by fines and/or jail time. It is important for Mississippi residents to understand and obey the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in order to avoid serious legal consequences.

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What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)?

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