Reverse-engineering the CSS algorithm used to protect DVD content is so illegal that linking to the source-code is against the law. But reverse-engineering the Sony Playstation is protected under federal law.

Let's get the entire judiciary of the United States together for a few days, so they can all be educated. There is some serious schitzophrenia going on.

I offer this handy reference for all judges:

Connectix decision GOOD.
DeCSS decision BAD.

Reverse-engineering GOOD.
Laws against free speech BAD.

This article in the Register about the same dichotomy is good, pointing out how the First Amendment locks everyone down solid when it comes to online pornography, but can be safely ignored when issues of copyright and corporate profits come up. My main concern about this article is that it'll be taken the wrong way. Instead of helping things like the DeCSS and Napster case, it'll just help people who want to make further in-roads on the restraint of free speech and fair use. Gosh, if we can make facist laws that make a hypertext link to some written words against the law, we should be able to purge all smut as well! And while we're at it, anything else not popular too! The First Amendment is soft on crime, let's get rid of it!

All in all, not good.
posted 2:21 PM | link |