RE: [dvd-discuss] So what is SonicBlue selling? DO I have to use to use thespyware?

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

I just got back from vacation and am reviewing old msgs.  I
am missing some context for this thread ... could someone
point me to information on the case where the court directed
the use of a spyware program?

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

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


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael A Rolenz [mailto:Michael.A.Rolenz@aero.org]
> Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 8:33 AM
> To: dvd-discuss@eon.law.harvard.edu
> Subject: [dvd-discuss] So what is SonicBlue selling? DO I 
> have to use to
> use thespyware?
> 
> 
> http://www.sonicblue.com/video/replaytv/replaytv_4000_tech.asp
> 
> SONICblue  reserves the right to automatically add, modify, 
> or disable any
> features in the operating software when your ReplayTV 4000
> connects to our server.
> 
> http://www.sonicblue.com/video/replaytv/replaytv_4000_faq.asp#13
> 
>  Q. What does the free ReplayTV
>  service provide?
>  A. The ReplayTV service doesn't
>  require a monthly service fee for
>  operation. It provides your custom
>  channel guide data and
>  myreplaytv.com for programming your
>  ReplayTV while away from home over
>  the Internet
> 
> OK so what is RePlayTV selling me? I purchased the unit. I 
> OWN it yet they 
> reserve the right to modify it without my permission and 
> under the guise 
> of giving me free monthy channel guides.
> 
> Here's a subversive question...what would be the legal status 
> of someone 
> who modified his computer to search for and block the 
> courts's directed 
> spyware program to return NOTHING or a note stating that the 
> information 
> request has been blocked? Or what if somebody patches the 
> executable to 
> eliminate the spyware? Are they in contempt of court? Or 
> suppose somebody 
> finds a security flaw in the SonicBlue spyware and modifies it to do 
> something nasty?
>