4 ms·
> And also, in my mind, a decryption key is not copyrightable - it's a utility number. This is not about copyright, this is about circumventing a copy protecti
by deng 3y ago
> And also, in my mind, a decryption key is not copyrightable - it's a utility number.
This is not about copyright, this is about circumventing a copy protection. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_number https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_number, which is also cited in the above video. Therefore, it also makes no difference from where this number actually comes from, "clean room approach" makes no difference here.
- chii 3y agofair point. I think this is where DMCA has overreach imho. It's one of the worst pieces of legislations to have been created regarding copyright and intellectual property.
- LocalH 3y agoThe DMCA still can't override actual reality, fortunately. Given enough scale, the DMCA is powerless to combat the overall distribution of such "in-demand" encryption keys. Look at what happened with the AACS key (09 F9... anyone?). Even if you are able to snag a few people for spreading the number, or intimidate them into ceasing doing so, the overall effect will be negligible.
- realusername 3y agoThis is US-only though, in most the EU, it's explicitly allowed
- roblabla 3y agoValve is, unfortunately, a US based entity, and thus bound to US laws.