Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Font Company Wielding DMCA Against Bit-Flipping

Posted by timothy on from the mirror-mirror dept.

Roundeye writes: "Seems that AGFA Monotype is trying to stop Tom Murphy from distributing his embed tool. According to the lawyers, the pair of bits in a TrueType font which specify how a font should be embedded constitute a DMCA-worthy access control device. Tom's standing up to them because, 'Embedding bits do nothing to keep consumers from copying fonts' and 'Since the enactment of the DMCA, I have only ever run embed on fonts for which I own the copyright." He's even got his own haiku version of the software..."

19 of 429 comments (clear)

  1. In Other News by shepd · · Score: 5, Funny

    Non-Parity memory outlawed due to the risk of alpha particles bit flipping true-type fonts!

    --
    If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
    1. Re:In Other News by steve_l · · Score: 5, Funny

      also, Ansi C++ 2002 draft released; xor "^" opcode removed after DMCA threats due to its potential use in bit-flipping and decryption algorithms. Future versions of the x86 product line will be changed to make the xor opcode a ring-0 instruction only, not for use by unapproved applications.

  2. The next DMCA circumvention device: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    a hex editor.

    This poster's name secretly replaced with Folgers Crystals

  3. Re:This really sucks by dirvish · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't think I ever seen a fontz site. I guess Tom is part of a rare breed of font crackers. Maybe I should join him. I wonder if fontz.ru is available?

    --
    FoundNews.com - get paid to blog.,
  4. OFFS by mizhi · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh For Fuck's Sake.

    What about hex-editors then?

    What about sed? I'll be you could come up with a nifty program to twiddle some bits in the same manner.

    And for those lawyers, I've got a couple of bits they can twiddle; my balls.

    I hope Tom wins.

    --
    Humorless sig goes here.
    1. Re:OFFS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      And for those lawyers, I've got a couple of bits they can twiddle; my balls.
      My balls are more like quadwords.

      Pussy :)

  5. Haiku is on topic! by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 3, Funny

    Greedy lawyers sue
    judge considers fair use death
    rights flush down toilet

  6. This is the last straw by mrroot · · Score: 3, Funny

    From this day forward I will not use fonts anymore!!!

    --
    I Heart Sorting Networks
  7. Re:How to get around this, for dumb lawyers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    And when they use another IP to get at the protected content, you can sue them under the DMCA!

    --

    If you want to see history repeated, you need to control the education system - BG saying

  8. Re:No -- "primarily designed" for circumvention by Jester998 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "A device has to be primarily designed for the purpose of circumvention, or marketed for circumvention."

    So... if I happened to write, say, code to drive a coffee machine, but it also happened to have 'features' to crack e-book encryption and add the ability to embed fonts, it would be OK? :)

    It's primary purpose would be, after all, to make me some java. =)

    - Jester

  9. Re:mirror? by Jester998 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Writing new programs that do the same thing would also make it quite annoying for them..."

    Hmm.... first person to write an implementation in Brainfuck gets a cookie. :)

  10. Re:I think I'm gonna thank the lawyers by kfg · · Score: 4, Funny

    Paul F. Stack
    Member
    Stack & Filpi,
    Chartered
    Suite 411, 140 South Dearborn Street
    Chicago, Illinois 60603-5298
    (Cook Co.)
    Telephone: 312-782-0690
    Facsimile: 312-782-0936

    Here's his email addy. AOL, kinda figures, don't it?

    pstack7901@aol.com

    KFG

  11. HHHMMM by Xader+Vartec · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is it illegal for me to wave a magnet in just the right way near my computer as to flip the bit in the font to make it embed?

    If I practice and get good, is it illegal for me to use the magnet technique to decrypt DVDs?

    I must start practicing my magnet-palm technique...

  12. Re:mirror? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    first person to write an implementation in Brainfuck [muppetlabs.com] gets a cookie. :)

    I thought we didn't like cookies? :)

  13. I feel ashmed by inerte · · Score: 2, Funny

    I only said:

    "Please let Tom and his program Embed alone,

    Thank you."

    Can I copy your text and send it to them? I hope that if they get multiple copies someone will eventually get a clue ;-)

    --
    Buy a Nintendo DS Lite
  14. Re:Newsflash! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Strange things happen when you only quote half a sentence: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime." "Congress shall make no law." "No person shall be a Senator." "No money shall be drawn from the treasury."

  15. Meta-haiku by roie_m · · Score: 2, Funny

    That was terrible
    Don't dare count the syllables
    Curse those long class names

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

  16. good for him by loydcc · · Score: 2, Funny
    I love to see the little guy fight. You get the little guy rant then the little guy dance.

    But seriously I'm with you in spirit.

  17. Re:"a person acting pursuant to a contract" by Corrado · · Score: 3, Funny

    However, they are attorneys licensed by a State and thus may fall under "a person acting pursuant to a contract with the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State."


    I am a driver licensed by a State. Does this mean that I may be able to circumvent the DMCA? :)
    --
    KangarooBox - We make IT simple!