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Government changes give users more rights Print
Written by Rob Squires   
Monday, 26 July 2010

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS is reporting on the newest updates from the Library of Congress over DCMA policies.  The new exemptions bring a much needed update to the 1998 federal law that prohibits people from bypassing technical measures that companies put on their products to prevent unauthorized use of copyright-protected material.

Two of the most anticipated revisions allow consumers to leagally "jailbreak", as well as unlock their cell phones in order their phone to another carrier.  Additionally the changes announced today will:

• allow people to break technical protections on video games to investigate or correct security flaws.

• allow college professors, film students, documentary filmmakers and producers of noncommercial videos to break copy-protection measures on DVDs so they can embed clips for educational purposes, criticism or commentary.

• allow computer owners to bypass the need for external security devices called dongles if the dongle no longer works and cannot be replaced.

• allow blind people to break locks on electronic books so that they can use them with read-aloud software and similar aides.
 
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