Linux a circumvention device? [LWN.net]

Linux a circumvention device?

Posted Oct 10, 2003 11:28 UTC (Fri) by rknop (guest, #66)
In reply to: Linux a circumvention device? by jbh
Parent article: Student faces suit over key to CD locks (News.com)

That would make linux a circumvention device, wouldn't it? Linux distributors beware...

It sounds like a joke, but it's only a matter of time. Some already make the argument that it's insane to have an open-source operating system because anybody can see the source code and hack it. Right now, it's security FUD, and the community by and large have recognized that it's FUD. However, when it comes to copyright circumvention devices, and DRM that needs to be built into the kernel, then, yes, just the ability to modify the source code becomes a circumvention device.

It is not much of a stretch to see free and open source software outlawed in this country. I hope we don't go that far, but we're rocketing very rapidly in that direction right now. Unless we have *radical* campaign finance reform, or figure out how to elect somebody instead of the same old republicans and deomcrats, we're going to get there.

-Rob

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Linux a circumvention device?

Posted Oct 10, 2003 13:59 UTC (Fri) by ccchips (guest, #3222) [Link]

'scuse me....what, exactly, do you mean by "elect?" I know what "I" mean when I say that word, but obvously the Supreme Court doesn't have the same view on the matter. A Republican-controlled Supreme Court, a Republican-controlled Congress, and a president who was appointed by that Supreme Court?

So, again, what does "elect" mean in the United States? Some kind of choice? What choice?

The wise thing for the courts to do would be to rule large parts of the DMCA unconstitutional. But in the United States, profit is far more important than wisdom. Government is a "business," remember?

Linux a circumvention device?

Posted Oct 10, 2003 15:32 UTC (Fri) by dooglio (guest, #2604) [Link]

The wise thing for the courts to do would be to rule large parts of the DMCA unconstitutional. But in the United States, profit is far more important than wisdom. Government is a "business," remember?

Right, but as consituents, we-the-people can still write letters to our congress-people. The more emails, faxes and snail mails we send to congress, the more likely legislation will get drafted to fix this bum law.

So, write to your congress-person and senator about this crap! We need a grass roots movement and spread the word.

Linux a circumvention device?

Posted Oct 10, 2003 15:35 UTC (Fri) by dooglio (guest, #2604) [Link]

It is not much of a stretch to see free and open source software outlawed in this country.

I swear to God that I will move out of the country if that happens. Of course, where would I go? Doesn't Canada have it's own version of DMCA as does Europe?