IP: RE: re: Adobe Boycott

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

From: Aaron Patterson <apatters () epicsystems com>

> To: "'farber () cis upenn edu'" <farber () cis upenn edu>
> Subject: RE: re: Adobe Boycott
>
> 1. DeCSS was orginally created to allow dvds to be played on linux systems.
> The MPAA uses CSS protection to require licensing of dvd players and had
> refused to allow players to be made for linux.
>
> DeCSS was written before the UDF filesystem existed for Linux. It was used
> in conjunction with WINE/Windows, to get access to a decrypted VOB file so
> that work on the Linux DVD player software could continue, and not be held
> up by the lack of native UDF support.
>
> DeCSS was never intended, nor ever used, to pirate DVDs. The MPAA has even
> admitted as much - their argument is that it violates the DMCA because it
> gets around their encryption, and the innocence of the software's purpose
> and use is irrelevant.
>
> Large scale DVD pirates can continue to operate stamping operations
> regardless of CSS.  The reason CSS is used it so enforce region codes which
> allow the film companies to illegaly manipulate the worldwide dvd market.
>
> 2. Like DeCSS, cracking ebook protection has many non-infringing uses such
> as shifting media, making personal backup copies, and allowing portions to
> be excerpted.
>
> -Aaron



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