CDT Comments to Copyright Office Focus on Preserving Balance and Cooperation in the DMCA

April 01, 2016

• Free Expression

CDT and the R Street Institute filed comments in response to the Copyright Office’s Notice of Inquiry regarding Section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Section 512 protects the conduits, websites, cloud storage providers, and search engines from statutory damages and other liability for copyright infringement based on works posted by users so long as service providers comply with certain requirements. CDT very much hopes that the Office does not lose sight of the importance of that flexibility and balance as it evaluates the many proposals for change it will receive.

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Florida’s “True Origins of Digital Goods Act” Threatens Online Anonymity

March 25, 2015

• Free Expression

A misguided copyright enforcement bill in Florida is threatening online anonymity. This week, the state legislature is considering the “True Origins of Digital Goods Act,” which would essentially make it unlawful for a website operator to remain anonymous if her site includes a substantial amount of embedded music or video. Anyone who runs a music blog or features video clips on her website would be required by law to disclose her name, address, and telephone number on the site.

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