西元1998年制定通過的電子千禧著作權法(the Digital Millennium Copyright Act,簡稱DMCA),立法目的為保障著作權人權益,避免違法的剽竊與複製,規定中的罰金高達美金50萬元或科或併科5年以下有期徒刑,連續犯罰金提高至100萬美元,最高刑期提高至10年。鉅額罰金及刑期對合理使用人或實質非侵害目的的使用,造成極大震撼與恐懼,本文自立法緣由、立法過程、相關案例、法規內容深入探討,並介紹立法前後與著作權侵害、網路詐欺相關法規,並探討刑罰之妥適性,執行力,並對未來修法之方向予以建議。
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was passed into law in 1998. The holders' right in their material, prevent illegal copying and distribution of this material. This paper will provide a brief history of the laws and the development of the DMCA. This paper analyzes the DMCA and will discuss whether there is a need to criminalize copyright infringement. This Note will discuss some cases and this Note conclude that current penalties are excessive because the fair-use doctrines currently in force do not allow customers to use their electronic media in ways that should be considered fair use.