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Quote from Wired article (linked below): "The regulators said that the controls were necessary to prevent software piracy and differentiated gaming consoles fr

Quote from Wired article (linked below): "The regulators said that the controls were necessary to prevent software piracy and differentiated gaming consoles from smart phones, which legally can be jailbroken: [T]he record demonstrated that access controls on gaming consoles protect not only the console firmware, but the video games and applications that run on the console as well. The evidence showed that video games are far more difficult and complex to produce than smartphone applications, requiring teams of developers and potential investments in the millions of dollars. While the access controls at issue might serve to further manufacturers’ business interests, they also protect highly valuable expressive works – many of which are created and owned by the manufacturers – in addition to console firmware itself. On the plus side, the regulators re-authorized jailbreaking of mobile phones." Source: -) http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/10/dmca-exemptions-rejected/all/ http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/10/dmca-exemptions-rej... -) http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4699962 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4699962 I am aware that this does not fully answer your question, but this is at least their justification.

krickle 14y ago
It's so infuriating that the lawmakers just don't get it. If I buy a console, I should be free to root it and run Linux or whatever. There are already laws against piracy, we don't need to throw freedom out to stop it.
- ari_elle 14y ago
  It is frustrating and at the same time one of the reasons why the traditional PC as we know it has a special position. If you think about it, the traditional PC is one of the - and it's sad to say so - few devices where the hardware really is yours (one could argue that firmware is locked down etc, but i guess everybody knows what i mean). There are not so many devices left that you can: -) install custom software on -) root without great efforts Game consoles, Tablets, ebook Readers, and Smartphones (no matter if it's legal - still great effort to jailbreak it) - you are locked in everywhere... Sad future ahead
  - crististm 14y ago
    I hope not. A few years ago I could not have found open hw that was decently powerful. Now I can - and this is improving.
- beagle3 14y ago
  > It's so infuriating that the lawmakers just don't get it. It's you who doesn't get it. Despite the whole election facade, the government is not working for you or your benefit. It's working for the benefit of a very small minority, that cares not about your freedom, and believes that they are served by enforceable DRM.

krickle 14y ago

It's so infuriating that the lawmakers just don't get it. If I buy a console, I should be free to root it and run Linux or whatever. There are already laws against piracy, we don't need to throw freedom out to stop it.

ari_elle 14y ago
It is frustrating and at the same time one of the reasons why the traditional PC as we know it has a special position. If you think about it, the traditional PC is one of the - and it's sad to say so - few devices where the hardware really is yours (one could argue that firmware is locked down etc, but i guess everybody knows what i mean). There are not so many devices left that you can: -) install custom software on -) root without great efforts Game consoles, Tablets, ebook Readers, and Smartphones (no matter if it's legal - still great effort to jailbreak it) - you are locked in everywhere... Sad future ahead
- crististm 14y ago
  I hope not. A few years ago I could not have found open hw that was decently powerful. Now I can - and this is improving.
beagle3 14y ago
> It's so infuriating that the lawmakers just don't get it. It's you who doesn't get it. Despite the whole election facade, the government is not working for you or your benefit. It's working for the benefit of a very small minority, that cares not about your freedom, and believes that they are served by enforceable DRM.