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Family Entertainment and Copyright Act

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act (FECA) is a U.S. federal law that addresses changes in copyright law, particularly in the context of the entertainment industry and the protection of copyrighted works. This act aims to provide additional safeguards for copyright holders and consumers regarding the use and distribution of copyrighted content.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act was signed into law in 2005 and is an amendment to the existing U.S. Copyright Act.
  2. The act provides legal protections for copyright holders against the unauthorized recording and distribution of copyrighted works, particularly in the context of family-friendly entertainment.
  3. FECA criminalizes the use of technology to circumvent copy protection measures, such as the unauthorized recording of movies in theaters.
  4. The act also expands the scope of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to include additional provisions related to the protection of copyrighted works.
  5. FECA aims to strike a balance between the rights of copyright holders and the fair use of copyrighted materials, particularly in the digital age.

Review Questions

  • Explain the primary purpose of the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act.
    • The primary purpose of the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act is to provide additional legal protections for copyright holders, particularly in the context of the entertainment industry and family-friendly content. The act aims to address the unauthorized recording and distribution of copyrighted works, such as the illegal recording of movies in theaters, and to strike a balance between the rights of copyright holders and the fair use of copyrighted materials in the digital age.
  • Describe how the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act relates to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
    • The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act is an amendment to the existing U.S. Copyright Act and expands the scope of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). While the DMCA primarily addresses the circumvention of digital rights management (DRM) technologies and provides safe harbors for online service providers, the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act specifically focuses on the unauthorized recording and distribution of copyrighted works, particularly in the context of family-friendly entertainment. The two acts work together to provide a more comprehensive legal framework for the protection of copyrighted materials in the digital age.
  • Analyze how the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act aims to balance the rights of copyright holders and the fair use of copyrighted materials.
    • The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act seeks to strike a balance between the rights of copyright holders and the fair use of copyrighted materials. On one hand, the act provides legal protections for copyright holders against the unauthorized recording and distribution of their works, particularly in the entertainment industry. This helps to ensure that copyright holders can maintain control over their creations and receive appropriate compensation. On the other hand, the act acknowledges the importance of fair use, which allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, or research. By addressing both the rights of copyright holders and the fair use of copyrighted materials, the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act aims to balance the interests of various stakeholders in the digital age.