Re: [dvd-discuss] Postage Meters and the "Right to Tinker"

["John Zulauf" <johnzu(at)ia.nsc.com>]

How does "charging" the postal meter differ from "authorizing" the
installer to install TurboTax.  Aside from an authorization the postal
meter is also "all there".  The ink is installed, the print programs
installed, the print head functional, etc.

In either case you are avoid payment to obtain a token of
authorization.  In one case, the authority to print postage, in the
other the authority to copy a functioning TurboTax.

Richard Hartman wrote:
> 
> Aside from my previous comment there is another
> difference.  The TurboTax situation is (arguably)
> accessing material sent as a gift -- but the
> material is all there.
> 
> You can access an _uncharged_ postage meter all
> you want, but you won't get any postage out of
> it.  Rigging it to fake a charge is theft (of
> the price of postage from the U.S. Postal Service),
> not mere access.
> 
> --
> -Richard M. Hartman
> hartman@onetouch.com
> 
> 186,000 mi/sec: not just a good idea, it's the LAW!
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: John Zulauf [mailto:johnzu@ia.nsc.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 8:41 AM
> > To: DVD Discuss
> > Subject: [dvd-discuss] Postage Meters and the "Right to Tinker"
> >
> >
> > Throughout the "TurboTax for free" discussion I've contended that the
> > "right to tinker" ends at the impact on others.  Clearly none of us
> > would claim a "right to tinker" which involved breaking into a nuclear
> > reactor site and rewrite the control rod program to perform a
> > multiband
> > frequency display for our collection of MP3's.
> >
> > The question is if someone sends you an unsolicited object, what right
> > do you have to tinker with it?  What limits are on that right, both
> > ethically and legally?
> >
> > <narrator voice="Rod Serling">
> > Submitted for your approval... the humble postage meter.
> >
> >  http://makeashorterlink.com/?P48932CF
> >
> > This simple looking device has the ability to store and dispense
> > valuable metered mail stamps, and can be recharge.  Delivered on the
> > doorstop of our unwitting tinker without his request, is the
> > possibility
> > of endless, free postal service.  All he need do is tinker.
> > Extracting
> > his tinkers toolset from his pocket, he plug the device into his
> > telephone jack and inspected the coded mysteries exchanged with
> > "PostageByPhone" -- he finds the key and a moral quagmire
> > appears before
> > his eyes.
> >
> > Only in "The Tinker Zone"
> > </narrator cue="Tinker Zone Theme", fade=black>
> >
> > I'm looking for any argument that receiving an unsolicited
> > postage meter
> > in the mail is materially different from that copy of TurboTax.  Both
> > require a commercial transaction (or a hack) to derive value from the
> > delivered good (other than as a doorstop or coaster
> > respectively).  The
> > rights to control both the printing of metered mail stamps or working
> > copies of TurboTax are both only defended by legal constructs -- both
> > rooted in the constitution (Copyright Clause and the Post Office
> > clause?).  Both ignore the long held mantra, "there is no security
> > without physical security."
> >
> > Can anyone argue that a "right to tinker" or a 1A right exists to hack
> > the postage meter for free stamps?  Can anyone argue that one has an
> > ethical right to crack the postage meter for free postage because the
> > meter was mailed to them?
> >
> > The humble postage meter -- compare and contrast with "keyware".
> >
> > .002
> >
> >