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Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

Copyright Office Study on Distance Education

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On October 28, 1998, H.R. 2281, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, was enacted into law. Section 403 requires that the Copyright Office consult with representatives of copyright owners, nonprofit educational institutions, and nonprofit libraries and archives, and thereafter submit to Congress recommendations on how to promote distance education through digital technologies, including interactive digital networks, while maintaining an appropriate balance between the rights of copyright owners and the interests of users. Such recommendations may include legislative changes.  Section 403 requires the Copyright Office to submit its recommendations to Congress no later than April 28, 1999.

To top of page About This Page

The Copyright Office will post copies of all public notices, written comments, and other material relevant to the distance education study on this web page as it becomes available.  The Office's Report will be posted here as well.

Important Dates
October 28, 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act enacted.
November 16, 1998 Date of Federal Register notice requesting identification of interested parties.
December 7, 1998 Due date for responses to November 16 Federal Register notice requesting identification of interested parties.
December 23, 1998 Date of Federal Register notice seeking written comments and testimony.
January 12, 1999 Due date for all requests to testify at public hearings.
January 15, 1999 Due date for summaries of oral testimony for Washington, DC, public hearing.
January 25, 1999 Distance education demonstration at Library of Congress.
January 26-27, 1999 Washington, DC, public hearing.
February 1, 1999 Due date for summaries of oral testimony for Los Angeles, CA, public hearing.
February 2, 1999 Due date for summaries of oral testimony for Chicago, IL, public hearing.
February 5, 1999 All written comments due.
February 10, 1999 Los Angeles, CA, public hearing.
February 12, 1999 Chicago, IL, public hearing.
February 24, 1999 All reply comments due.
April 28, 1999 Copyright Office recommendations due to Congress.

To top of page Questions?

Please note that the electronic mail address "disted@loc.gov" exists for the sole purpose of accepting written statements in response to the Federal Register notice published at 63 FR 71167 on December 23, 1998.

If you have questions regarding the Copyright Office Study on the Promotion of Distance Education through Digital Technologies please contact Sayuri Rajapakse, Attorney-Advisor, 202.707.8438; fax, 202.707.8366.

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