DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2015) — The U.S. Copyright Office issued a ruling on Oct. 27 that allows vehicle owners to perform vehicle diagnosis, repair and modification without fear of prosecution under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
However, the Copyright Office declined to provide the exemption to third parties who diagnose, repair or modify a vehicle on behalf of the vehicle owner, according to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The agency concluded that extending the reach of an exemption to cover third parties requires a legislative amendment by Congress. Access to a vehicle's telematics or entertainment system was also specifically excluded from the exemption, SEMA said.