Sem 083 Ethics in Cyberspace

Assignment # 4. Dmitry and the DMCA: Due 15 October 2001

In this class we will review the basics of US copyright law from the the US Constitution through the passage of the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998. We'll then look at the unfolding story of the US v. Dmitry Sklyarov, a Russian graduate student arrested for violating the DMCA.

Readings:

1. Copyright: Frequently Asked Questions This will provide you with the basics of what copyright is. More information can be found by following some of the links from the MIT Copyright Central page.
   
   
2. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act You need only read chapter 12 of this long document.
   
   
3. The case of Dmitry and the DMCA received a lot of media coverage this summer. One resource for information is the Free Sklyarov page. Also the Electronic Frontier Foundation has lots of information. In particular read: EFF's What is Dmitry charged with?
   
   
4. To see both sides of the debate about Dmitry read the following:
   
   
   • Jail Time in the Digital Age, Larry Lessig
   • Why Dmitry Sklyarov belongs in jail, Roger Parloff
   • A Commitment to Candid Speech: A Reply to Roger Parloff, Larry Lessig
     

Based on these readings, you should come to class prepared to:

1. Discuss the facts of the case of the US v. Dmitry Sklyarov, including an understanding of what he is being charged with.
   
   
2. Support your position on whether or not you believe that the DMCA is constitutional.
   
   
3. Support your position on whether or not you feel that Dmitry should be charged with violating the DMCA and if found guilty should receive the punishment indicated by the DMCA.