Resumen
This article highlights the need to examine the United States copyright laws in general and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in particular. Dmitry Sklyarov, a Russian Ph.D. student was arrested under the DMCA bill that punishes anyone who distributes any technology, product, service, device, component or part that, like Sklyarov's software, bypasses copy-protection mechanisms. The DMCA, in its present form, could adversely affect research competitiveness in the U.S., and foreign scientists would shun the U.S. The DMCA is necessary, but some modifications must be made. It is needed because it protects the intellectual works from copyright violations but it must be modified so new research in information security and assurance is encouraged and not curbed. Exceptions in DMCA are too limited. Perhaps DMCA should be modified to propose immunity from legal ramifications for work done in good faith and for research and educational purpose. INSET: Exceptions to Prohibitions.