Final answer:
The correct answer is (c), which states that the DMCA provides legal protection for copyright holders and criminalizes DRM circumvention. This act reinforces the ability of copyright owners to protect their works against unauthorized use and ensures the lawful use of copyrighted materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998 notably c) provides legal protection for copyright holders and criminalizes the circumvention of digital rights management (DRM) software. This act strengthens the legal framework to combat piracy and illegal distribution of copyrighted materials, ensuring that copyright holders can protect their valuable works from unauthorized use and infringement.
For example, the Supreme Court case MGM Studios v. Grokster (2005) reinforced that technology companies can be held liable for facilitating copyright infringement, building on the protections provided by the DMCA. This legal protection is essential because copyright, as defined by the U.S. Copyright Office, is a form of protection provided for original works of authorship including literary, musical, and audiovisual creations. It's important to understand that copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, which means it is a long-term right that significantly impacts the commercial use of creative works.