July 27, 2020—Suppliers in the industry have reiterated their support under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to new current exemptions that allow greater access to vehicle software for independent repair shops, according to a press release.
According to the release, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), MERA, and the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) all reiterated their support for the Act, extending the renewed exemptions to enable diagnostic tool providers and repair professionals to access software and other copyrighted information that is important when diagnosing and repairing vehicles, all without compromising the property within the vehicles.
Prior to 2018, the repair exemption for vehicle software only applied to vehicle owners, according to the release. During the previous review of the act, the Copyright Office expanded the vehicle repair exemption to. allow for third-party providers to service vehicles on behalf of owners.
If renewed, the exemptions would remain for an additional three-year period from October 2021 to October 2024.
