Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC) and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) I achieved the application amendments in “Copyright Law into the Digital Epoch” (DMCA, Digital MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT) adding firmware to routers to the exception list that DMCA restrictions are not covered.
In three years, a special commission is convened in the US Congress library, which during the public hearings decides to revise the list of exceptions with a description of situations to which the DMCA law cannot be applicable. This list is formed to protect against possible abuse and unreasonable restrictions that can move under the cover of DMCA, without being an object of copyright infringement.
Exceptions approved this year allow the installation of alternative firmware to routers and other network devices (including making Jailbreak and bypassing bindings to firmware with DRM). The exception gives the user the opportunity to extend the life cycle of its device after the expiration of the support period by the manufacturer, setting the alternative firmware, such as OpenWRT.
Also approved exceptions, allowing to legally conduct the studies of device firmware in order to identify and confirm the possible violation of copigyl licenses requiring the opening of derivatives. The exception is valid for all types of devices, except for game consoles.
previously active exceptions associated with the permission of unlocking, changing the firmware, repair and installation of applications, regardless of whether they are approved by the manufacturer or not, previously operating for smartphones (Jailbreak), tablets and other mobile devices, are expanded on the possibility of replacing software fillings Smart TVs.
The categories of devices for which exceptions are valid, allowing independently repairs. The project Right to Repair It seeks to provide exceptions to repair any devices and this year it succeeds to approach the target target. Approved Amendments allowing diagnostics, maintenance and repair of any consumer devices, including e-books, disc players and smart speakers, as well as repair of vehicles, ships and medical devices. For medical devices, both repairs and extracting data stored on its own device, regardless of whether the device is implanted or not.