Wired covers a new bill in the House that would limit DMCA restrictions on copying: “Librarians would be allowed to bypass DRM technology to update or preserve their collections.”
It would also cap statutory damages for copyright infringement. Looks like a good thing, if not a full reversal of modern copyright law’s excesses. (Recommended reading on that topic: Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig.)
“I think the main thing (the current bill) does for that individual is that he’ll be able to move around within his home network the material that he has lawfully acquired.” — Rep. Rick Boucher
“Limiting the availability of statutory damages in this way is a huge step in the right direction…. It would give innovators much-needed breathing room.” — EFF’s Derek Slater
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Lessig’s book is available from the SLC library at call no. KF2979 .L47 2004