4 ms·

The problem is it isn't just a grey area. Its a grey area that large corporations are using to push around the "little guys" with. As for helping, its one guy

by skolor 17y ago

The problem is it isn't just a grey area. Its a grey area that large corporations are using to push around the "little guys" with. As for helping, its one guy doing the most he can. Its certainly more than I would be willing to do.

ErrantX 17y ago
I dont buy it: which "little guy" has been prosecuted for breaking DRM encryption for personal use? (as this is what it amounts to). I cant agree this would help: it's not really a contentious issue at the moment and this risks a) giving copyright apologists something to distract people with and b) risks a crackdown on people making personal backups... I think there are better areas to challenge initially; that's all.
- daeken 17y ago
  Me. I was not prosecuted, but bullied by repeated DMCA infringement notices and ridiculous copyright infringement claims. I ran a company that produced a library to allow use of Fairplay DRM (used in iTunes) content on unsupported platforms, and despite not allowing users to strip DRM off of their files (just play them back), we were bludgeoned out of business by claim on claim from Apple. You don't need to take someone to court to harm them with a law, simply make it so that they have no choice but to stop doing whatever it is that they're doing. In all likelihood, we would've won if we went to court, and we could've easily won a countersuit for the copyright infringement claims (they actually said later that they didn't say such a thing, despite us having it in black and white), but none of that matters if you can't take on an expensive and drawn out lawsuit.
  - ErrantX 17y ago
    That sucks and I agree you have a big grievance. However it's not an example like I talked about. Even if this guy wins through I don't see how it would affect the broad DRM laws such as hounded you. As I see it it would be a test case for personal use being allowed?
    - DougBTX 17y ago
      A test case could make it clear(er) whether using drm-cracking software for personal use is allowed. Writing drm-cracking software would still be in a grey area as you say, but putting a primary use-case for the software firmly in the white must help.
  - WesleyJohnson 17y ago
    Ran into this same situation with a previous employer filing suit against me for allegedly violating a ridiculously overreaching non-compete agreement. In the end, we had to shut down and agree to some ridiculous settlement because we couldn't afford to fight them.

by skolor 17y ago

ErrantX 17y ago

I dont buy it: which "little guy" has been prosecuted for breaking DRM encryption for personal use? (as this is what it amounts to). I cant agree this would help: it's not really a contentious issue at the moment and this risks a) giving copyright apologists something to distract people with and b) risks a crackdown on people making personal backups... I think there are better areas to challenge initially; that's all.

daeken 17y ago
Me. I was not prosecuted, but bullied by repeated DMCA infringement notices and ridiculous copyright infringement claims. I ran a company that produced a library to allow use of Fairplay DRM (used in iTunes) content on unsupported platforms, and despite not allowing users to strip DRM off of their files (just play them back), we were bludgeoned out of business by claim on claim from Apple. You don't need to take someone to court to harm them with a law, simply make it so that they have no choice but to stop doing whatever it is that they're doing. In all likelihood, we would've won if we went to court, and we could've easily won a countersuit for the copyright infringement claims (they actually said later that they didn't say such a thing, despite us having it in black and white), but none of that matters if you can't take on an expensive and drawn out lawsuit.
- ErrantX 17y ago
  That sucks and I agree you have a big grievance. However it's not an example like I talked about. Even if this guy wins through I don't see how it would affect the broad DRM laws such as hounded you. As I see it it would be a test case for personal use being allowed?
  - DougBTX 17y ago
    A test case could make it clear(er) whether using drm-cracking software for personal use is allowed. Writing drm-cracking software would still be in a grey area as you say, but putting a primary use-case for the software firmly in the white must help.
- WesleyJohnson 17y ago
  Ran into this same situation with a previous employer filing suit against me for allegedly violating a ridiculously overreaching non-compete agreement. In the end, we had to shut down and agree to some ridiculous settlement because we couldn't afford to fight them.