It's a violation unless you have rights to use the work. This was added after the first revision, probably because they were worried about a challenge to the DM

It's a violation unless you have rights to use the work. This was added after the first revision, probably because they were worried about a challenge to the DMCA on these grounds striking more of the law's text. So, below, you have people wondering about cracking machine equipment. Totally legal to do.