The DMCA is the main law here in the United States that is used by by the likes of the RIAA and MPAA to combat internet piracy. And while trying to stop or at least slow down internet piracy may look like a good thing on the surface. The problem is that the DMCA makes it overly easy for those with the money (companies) to bring complaints and makes it difficult (or at least expensive) for individuals to defend themselves against these complaints.
Recently two professors and a student at the University of Washington conducted a study of the Bittorent network. Even though the special software they were using didn’t upload or download anything off the network they received over 400 complaint letters, so of which sited the laser printers being used durning the study as the users who were violating the DCMA.
Via eff.org
