Monday, September 11, 2000

Spamming DeCSS -- 10:43 am CST, Update by A.T. Hun

According to Slashdot, someone has been spamming the Usenet (particularly the comp.* groups) with the DeCSS source code. DeCSS is a bit of code which enables people to view DVDs. The movie industry has their undies in a bundle about it because it could be used to copy DVDs. When are people going to realize that no copy protection scheme will _ever_ be foolproof? If you can see it or hear it, it can be copied. End of story.

The Master comments: Personally, I agree with lawsuits against any software incorporating DeCSS as long as it's usage is for violating copyright-good luck proving that one in court. I wish somebody would write a free, legal player for DVDs on Linux, but so far DeCSS has been the only option, and it's been used as such, as well as in illegal copying software.

I DO NOT agree that the algorithm isn't valid for free and public publication, however. Algorithms should NOT be patentable or copyrightable in my opinion-if they are the entire computer industry owes Knute and Sedgewick every dime they've ever made on all software. I'm sure nobody out there is willing to pay up, are they?

News for 09/11/2000

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