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Bruce Perens Plans On-Stage DMCA Violation
cyber_rigger writes: "From this
article at infoworld Bruce Perens said he plans to break the DMCA
during a presentation on digital rights management (DRM) Friday afternoon
at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention in San Diego. Technically, under the DMCA, Perens' explanation
of the technology makes him liable for a fine of US$500,000. You have to
admire his spirit."
I love the idea of grabbing "mindshare" (/me crosses himself after uttering evil marketingspeak) through good old-fashioned media whoring. Circus ring tactics are essential in the modern computer business. Remember Jay Leno's TV special introducing Windows 95? Or when that Microsoft dude was dancing or whatever? Steve Jobs practically invented tech-biz dramatics.
This will only help in the battle to get Free Software and the FSF taken more seriously by the public. Maybe we can arrange to have someone dressed in a Tux costume as well. Juggling burning Windows XP CDs.
Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
If his balls are that big, I am sure he'll make loads of friends in jail!
I'll do it for cheesy poofs.
So, if Mr. Perens is arrested, how many of you so-called geeks are going to boycott Hollywood movies, RIAA music, cancel your cable/dish TV, etc. I hope every single one of you--for anyone who does not is a flaming hypocrite. And you'd better spread the word to your neighbors as well. DMCA is no small violation of our basic freedoms and it needs fought tooth and nail.
And like any good boycott, you can help promote substitutes as well:
- off-air television (get yourself a Terk TV-55 or similar)
- local bands / unsigned online artists
- independent films
- trade existing movies with friends but don't buy into anything new