Librarian of Congress Extends DMCA Copyright Circumventions

The librarian of Congress will adopt noncontroversial “exemptions to the statutory prohibition on circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works” under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, says a Federal Register notice for Friday. Based on recommendations from the acting register of copyrights, the librarian of Congress will renew, expand and adopt various exemptions through a final rule, completing the seventh triennial rulemaking proceeding. Newly adopted classes include specific types of audiovisual works and computer programs. One renewed exemption that was unopposed facilitates assistive technology for digital books. Also being renewed are “unlocking” of cellphones, tablets, mobile hot spots or wearable devices or “jailbreaking” of similar devices.