Re: 17 USC 1201 (circumvention) cases?

On Sun, 16 Jan 2000, Karsten M. Self <kmself[_at_]ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>
> Does anyone know of cases or appeals involving violations of 17 USC 1201
> copy protection circumvention. The law is relatively new, and the grace
> period for circumvention actions has only recently expired.
>
> My current interest are the MPAA DVD/DeCSS case(s).
>
> I'm aware of cases involving Sony v. Connectix, and RealNetworks v.
> MP3.com (I think). The RealNetworks action appears to have been
> dropped. What's the status of the Connectix case? Last action I'd
> heard of was for a Sept 14, 1999 court date.
>
> There's also the Sony v. Bleem case.
>
> Nintendo has pursued actions of similar nature.
>
> Anything else?

I don't think the grace period has expired yet. In 17 USC 1201 (a) the grace period is specificed as two years from the date of enactment which would make it October 28, 2000. There is currently a request for written comments on how this provision will impact legal uses. (Due by Feb. 10). For more info see the site

http://www.loc.gov/copyright/1201/anticirc.html

George L. Abbott
Head, Media Services Department
Syracuse University Library
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
(V) 315-443-2438
(F) 315-443-9510
Internet: glabbott[_at_]syr.edu Received on Wed Jan 19 2000 - 05:12:18 GMT