RE: [dvd-discuss] Re: Sen. Hollings plans to introduce DMCA seque l: The SSSCA

[Richard Hartman <hartman(at)onetouch.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott A Crosby [mailto:crosby@qwes.math.cmu.edu]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 12:10 AM
> To: Richard Hartman
> Cc: 'dvd-discuss@eon.law.harvard.edu'
> Subject: RE: [dvd-discuss] Re: Sen. Hollings plans to introduce DMCA
> seque l: The SSSCA
> 
> 
> On Mon, 10 Sep 2001, Richard Hartman wrote:
> 
> > If I buy a new answering machine and it doesn't offer
> > me the full security that is require by law, I should
> > have standing.  As should anybody else who buys that
> > new answering machine.  It would be a class-action suit
> > based upon non-compliance with the law, depriving me
> > (and others) of the security to which I am entitled by law.
> >
> 
> Define 'full security that is required by law', cause it seems to be
> unstated in the law as given.. And there's probably a lot of 
> wiggle room.
> 
> For example, the 'secret security code' (a 2 digit number) on 
> an answering
> machine (20 codes max) might be declared to be sufficient security to
> protect your messages. (And as a bonus, you could sue anyone who did
> 'break' this scheme under the DMCA for violating your 
> copyrighted memo's
> to yourself!)
> 
> At the same time, any computer running linux is defined to be 
> 'insecure',
> cause it ain't subject to digital controls. 

I dunno 'bout that.  If you can pass off the pin # of the
answering machine as meeting all security requrements, then
surely the root password of a Linux machine can be considered
to be the same.

Otoh, if you need hardware-level protection to prevent
illegal copying of music on your computer, then the answering
machine should have the same protection.  Otherwise we'll have
a network of song-pirates distributing phone #s ("For Madonna's
latest, call 555-HOT-GIRL")

And the answering machines are just an example.  Given the
broadness of the law (any digital device??!?)  I'm sure more
"real-world" examples could be found to press.


-- 
-Richard M. Hartman
hartman@onetouch.com

186,000 mi./sec ... not just a good idea, it's the LAW!