DMCA Copyright Protections: Uniquely American or Common & Uniform Abroad?

摘要

Since 1998 digital technology has continued to grow exponentially in importance, complexity, and breadth. Very few locales on the planet have not been influenced by digital media and technology. Accordingly, in the time since the US passed the DMCA as the manner in which the United States governs copyright and issues relating to the facets enumerated in the DMCA, many other countries have amended or added to their body of law relating to digital media, technology, and related issues. After reviewing some of the larger players on the world economic and copyright stage, it appears many jurisdictions have enacted at least some provisions that appear similar in nature to aspects of the DMCA. However, whether it is because of differences in legal systems, governance, prioritization, and influence of intellectual property rights or merely cultural preference, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, and Taiwan all have enacted various levels of DMCA-type provisions, and no single level of protection appears uniform at this time.