Re: [dvd-discuss] Comparing DeCSS with legitimate code.

[Tom <tom(at)lemuria.org>]

On Fri, May 24, 2002 at 06:26:12PM -0700, microlenz@earthlink.net wrote:
> > no, but it IS part of CSS. remember that - see WTO lecture - CSS is a
> > "three-pronged approach". not even the MPAA believed that the
> > encryption would be any good.
> 
> Well that poses a problem then. What is an effective system? THe community 
> defines it one way (peer review) and the MPAA defines it another (Absolute 
> secrecy) yet believes it's not effective...well only Jack "Boots" Valenti could 
> testify in front of congress and keep his sincere face forward.

Not at all. They are fanatics, but neither stupid nor overtly evil.

The trick is in the definition of "system". Techies understand a system
as being the algorithm and implementation of the encryption. Jack
couldn't care less. To him and his lawyers, the encryption is only part
of the "system". The two other parts are the license agreement and the
legal teeth he needs to bite everyone who doesn't play.

Pretty effective system, no matter if the encryption is any good.


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