The Librarian of Congress has issued new rules (PDF) on Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) exemptions, which will allow people to examine, modify and install third-party software in their tablets, smart TVs and vehicles.
Set to become law about a year from now, the exemptions enable people to get under the hood of the software of any “personal automobile, commercial motor vehicle, or mechanized agricultural vehicle” for “good faith security research” and for “lawful modification.”
The new rules also let folks jailbreak their tablets and smart TVs. However, you can’t tinker with your e-readers, handheld gaming devices, laptops and desktop computers. Video game consoles are also off the table as Congress believes that “console jailbreaking is closely tied to video game piracy.”
