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Woke up to discover this new #stopDMCA outrage. You can’t ‘stop’ DMCA. It’s a piece of legislation that was passed 20 years ago, not a band of street toughs.
I’ve seen various outlets suggesting that streamers are going to get jail time for use of copyrighted audio, even ‘accidental’ use. This is nonsense.
Why would a government body want to place undue burden on the courts and law enforcement to arrest randoms for walking past a stereo on stream? They wouldn’t. It would be dumb and expensive and outrageous.
It IS true that a team of folks have spent years trying to better understand copyright in the modern tech landscape and are working to reform the law. This, overall, is a good idea.
The particular thing streamers seem to be upset about is this letter from July 2019 in which Thom Tillis discusses various issues surrounding streaming content. Particularly it’s definition as ‘public performance’ as it relates to US law.
So like, yeah? I follow the logic. If streaming is becoming a bigger part of how the music industry works and stealing streamed music is *less* illegal than burning a stolen CD (which nobody does anymore) then I guess we should address that.
But gamers can we please understand that they are primarily using the words ‘stream’ and ‘streaming’ to describe services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and other professional music-focussed services? This isn’t about you.
From what I can see nobody is specifically coming to break down your door. Nobody is even really talking about you.
Now if you want something ACTUALLY interesting, Tillis and co wrote an open letter about copyright reform just a few days ago. It’s full of lots more stuff that IS relevant to creators like improving the takedown-counterclaim process. Read it here: https://variety.com/2020/music/news/senator-thom-tillis-dmca-digital-millenium-copyright-act-letter-1234829353/
Copyright law is a huge beast and it is evolving. From what I’ve read these people are trying to help make it work better, not come after you. By all means use your voice, but be informed first. Get your information from more than one reputable source.
