DMCA: Did you Designate an Agent Today?

Scott Brady writes "The New York Law Journal is running an article on how to comply with the DMCA if you happen to be a web provider. The article turns up a particularly troubling part of the act I wasn't aware of: "To qualify for the DMCA's safe harbors, a service provider must first take the following actions: 1) Designate an agent to receive notification of claimed infringement from copyright owners. ... 2) Register the designated agent with the U.S. Copyright Office. ... The cost of registration is only $20. 3) ... [The] contact information for your designated agent also must be posted on your Web site."" Well, I was aware of it, but perhaps others aren't. In order to qualify for the DMCA's exemptions, you have to effectively act as judge, jury and executioner against your users.