DMCA Section 1201: Difference between revisions

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Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the [[DMCA]] which prevents users from breaking digital locks.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Copyright.gov |date=2018 |title=Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |url=https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/ |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref><ref> https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201</ref>

Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the [[DMCA]] which prevents users from

breaking digital locks.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Copyright.gov |date=2018 |title=Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |url=https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/ |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Law.cornell.edu |title=17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=Cornell Law School}}</ref> This law was created to combat piracy, but instead allows for the ransom of smart devices.

==Why this is problematic==

The law is problematic as it prevents users from being able to break a digital lock , ~~and due to~~ this manufacturers can ~~create digital locks~~ in order to force the user to ~~purchase a subscription or~~ buy a ~~newer item~~.

The law is problematic as it prevents users from being able to break a digital lock, because of this law, manufacturers can remotely modify user’s devices in order to force a subscription or encourage the user to buy a new device. Usually the remote modifications of devices are performed over the internet which is why manufacturers require the devices to be connected at all times.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=William |date=6 Aug 2026 |title=Why Smart Device Bricking Fuels the Push for Offline Options and Open IoT Standards |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/hardware-and-devices/why-smart-device-bricking-fuels-the-push-for-offline-options-and-open-iot-standards/ar-AA1IyZsA |access-date=6 March 2026 |website=Msn}}</ref>

This law is also why [https://bounties.fulu.org/ FULU Bounty] winners cannot share their solutions legally in the United States.

==Examples==

With the assurance of DMCA Section 1201 preventing owners of devices from breaking digital locks, manufacturers intentionally create digital locks on their products to generate higher profits.

===Echelon bike firmware update===

''Main article: [[Echelon fitness firmware lockout]]''

Echelon remotely changed the firmware on its bikes in order to gain money from subscriptions. Echelon also removed third-party applications that granted users more features.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=25 Jul 2025 |title=FULU Foundation offers $20,000 bounty to unbrick echelon bikes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2zayHD4kfcA |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>

===Nest Thermostat losing features===

''Main article: [[Google Nest thermostat smart features disabled]]''

Nest Thermostats have had their smart feature disabled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=6 Nov 2025 |title=This thermostat's about to leave the nest :D |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbUdvuSt50 |access-date=10 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>

===Futurehome Subscription===

''Main article: [[Futurehome Smarthub mandatory subscription fee]]''

Futurehome had forced a subscription upon 30,000 their customers in order to use a product that they had purchased.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=23 Jul 2025 |title=Futurehome was subsidized by taxpayers before ransomwaring 30,000 customers w/ bankruptcy scam 🤦 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sN4dGCjg-Y8 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>

===John Deere’s Tractors===

John Deere’s tractors use digital locks to prevent farmers and independent repair technicians from repairing the equipment. John Deere’s motivation for this practice is to send in their own repair technicians so that they can secure the profit from the repair.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Luke |date=8 Jan 2024 |title=How John Deere Hijacked Copyright Law To Keep You From Tinkering With Your Tractor |url=https://www.thefai.org/posts/how-john-deere-hijacked-copyright-law-to-keep-you-from-tinkering-with-your-tractor |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=FAI}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Compton |first=Sophia |date=6 Sep 2025 |title=American farmer demands right to repair own equipment amid soaring costs: 'Money is tight' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/american-farmer-demands-right-repair-own-equipment-soaring-costs-money-tight |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Fox Business}}</ref>

===HP printer firmware’s DRM===

''Main article: [[HP systemic DRM and firmware lockouts]]''

HP uses DRM to force users to pay for certified HP ink rather than cheaper aftermarket ink, hindering competition.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=28 May 2023 |title=HP printer with ink DRM gets "environmentally friendly" stamp of approval 😞 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oVWk9Zh82O4 |access-date=7 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}} </ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/ |access-date=7 Mar 2026 |website=Arstechnica}}</ref>

==See Also==

*[[DMCA]]

*[[Digital rights management]]

==References==

[[Category:US legislation]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{StubNotice}}
-Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the [[DMCA]] which prevents users from breaking digital locks.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Copyright.gov |date=2018 |title=Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |url=https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/ |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref><ref> https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201</ref>
+Section 1201 of the DMCA is a section in the [[DMCA]] which prevents users from
+{{ProductCargo}}
+breaking digital locks.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Copyright.gov |date=2018 |title=Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |url=https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/ |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Law.cornell.edu |title=17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=Cornell Law School}}</ref> This law was created to combat piracy, but instead allows for the ransom of smart devices.
 ==Why this is problematic==
-The law is problematic as it prevents users from being able to break a digital lock , and due to this manufacturers can create digital locks in order to force the user to purchase a subscription or buy a newer item.
+The law is problematic as it prevents users from being able to break a digital lock, because of this law, manufacturers can remotely modify user’s devices in order to force a subscription or encourage the user to buy a new device. Usually the remote modifications of devices are performed over the internet which is why manufacturers require the devices to be connected at all times.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=William |date=6 Aug 2026 |title=Why Smart Device Bricking Fuels the Push for Offline Options and Open IoT Standards |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/hardware-and-devices/why-smart-device-bricking-fuels-the-push-for-offline-options-and-open-iot-standards/ar-AA1IyZsA |access-date=6 March 2026 |website=Msn}}</ref>
+This law is also why [https://bounties.fulu.org/ FULU Bounty] winners cannot share their solutions legally in the United States.
 ==Examples==
-{{Incomplete section}}
+With the assurance of DMCA Section 1201 preventing owners of devices from breaking digital locks, manufacturers intentionally create digital locks on their products to generate higher profits.
+===Echelon bike firmware update===
+''Main article: [[Echelon fitness firmware lockout]]''
+Echelon remotely changed the firmware on its bikes in order to gain money from subscriptions. Echelon also removed third-party applications that granted users more features.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=25 Jul 2025 |title=FULU Foundation offers $20,000 bounty to unbrick echelon bikes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2zayHD4kfcA |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>
+===Nest Thermostat losing features===
+''Main article: [[Google Nest thermostat smart features disabled]]''
+Nest Thermostats have had their smart feature disabled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=6 Nov 2025 |title=This thermostat's about to leave the nest :D |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbUdvuSt50 |access-date=10 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>
+===Futurehome Subscription===
+''Main article: [[Futurehome Smarthub mandatory subscription fee]]''
+Futurehome had forced a subscription upon 30,000 their customers in order to use a product that they had purchased.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=23 Jul 2025 |title=Futurehome was subsidized by taxpayers before ransomwaring 30,000 customers w/ bankruptcy scam 🤦 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sN4dGCjg-Y8 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>
+===John Deere’s Tractors===
+John Deere’s tractors use digital locks to prevent farmers and independent repair technicians from repairing the equipment. John Deere’s motivation for this practice is to send in their own repair technicians so that they can secure the profit from the repair.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Luke |date=8 Jan 2024 |title=How John Deere Hijacked Copyright Law To Keep You From Tinkering With Your Tractor |url=https://www.thefai.org/posts/how-john-deere-hijacked-copyright-law-to-keep-you-from-tinkering-with-your-tractor |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=FAI}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Compton |first=Sophia |date=6 Sep 2025 |title=American farmer demands right to repair own equipment amid soaring costs: 'Money is tight' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/american-farmer-demands-right-repair-own-equipment-soaring-costs-money-tight |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Fox Business}}</ref>
+===HP printer firmware’s DRM===
+''Main article: [[HP systemic DRM and firmware lockouts]]''
+HP uses DRM to force users to pay for certified HP ink rather than cheaper aftermarket ink, hindering competition.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=28 May 2023 |title=HP printer with ink DRM gets "environmentally friendly" stamp of approval 😞 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oVWk9Zh82O4 |access-date=7 Mar 2026 |website=Youtube}} </ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/ |access-date=7 Mar 2026 |website=Arstechnica}}</ref>
 ==See Also==
+*[[DMCA]]
 *[[Digital rights management]]
 ==References==
 <references />
+[[Category:US legislation]]