This is weird. I was searching on Google for used textbooks and was quite surprised to see the following at the end of the Google page: “In response to a complaint we received under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 1 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint for these removed results.”

What does it mean? What is the DMCA anyway?

That’s very interesting indeed. In all the times I’ve searched Google, I’ve never bumped into the footnote you are highlighting. As you find out when you click on the “DMCA” link itself:

“It is our policy to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (the text of which can be found at the U.S. Copyright Office Web Site) and other applicable intellectual property laws, which may include removing or disabling access to material claimed to be the subject of infringing activity. If we remove or disable access to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we will make a good-faith attempt to contact the owner or administrator of each affected site so that they may make a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of that Act. It is our policy to document all notices of alleged infringement on which we act. A copy of the notice will be sent to a third party who will make it available to the public.”

That’s fair. In fact, Google also links to the specific DMCA complaint, as hosted by a third party. Clicking on that second link reveals that…