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Perens Backs Down from DMCA Violation
liquidsin writes "According to this article by Dan Gillmor, Bruce Perens has backed out of his plan to demonstrate how to modify a DVD player to break region coding (and openly violate the DMCA as well) due to pressure from his employer, Hewlett Packard. I wish HP had given him their blessing on this, but I guess they have to worry about shareholders first..." See our previous story for Perens' plans.
Unfortunately, as we see time and time again, Americans are willing to trade their freedom for a bit of money. If Perens was serious about risking jailtime, why isn't he willing to resign from his position at HP before giving the presentation?
A true patriot might die for his country; I'm sure there are more than enough companies and hackers willing to donate a bit of cash if needs be until he finds another job.
I wish HP had given him their blessing on this, but I guess they have to worry about shareholders first
Why would you wish anyone to break a law and possibly go to jail? I think if anything, HP should be applauded.
Of course we all know the reason HP didn't back him up to cover their own ass. HP as a company is known for it's damn near scientologist corporate culture, it's lack of workplace safety in both domestic and foriegn sweatshops, and since carly's reign of terror, some of the worst corporate decisions to keep the executives paid. Fuck everyone else and the shareholders, that's the new HP.
You know what folks? Fark HP those fargin bastages.
yes I was laid off once by HP, only once you fargin bastages!
--toq
I am really starting to loathe this website. This isn't meant to be a troll or start shit, just a rant.
You people are so unbelievable. The majority of you have never known a day of hardship, want, hunger..never wondered if the cold was going to kill you at 3 in the morning because you didn't have a roof overhead, etc. And yet you whine like little bitches about the DCMA and the MPAA like you're so fucking oppressed. My god! Who gives a flying fuck. The majority of your bitching, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the RIAA, has nothing to do with free speech or human rights, it has to do with you being pissed that someone out their is making you pay for something. I for one am getting a bit older, and if I want software or a cd, I go and buy it. Enough is enough, fuck.
Hollywood is winning, folks. You are losing. And you'd better start caring.
I'm confused. Hollywood is winning because they expect to be compensated for their work? And we're losing because we're actually expected to pay for things we use? I suppose demonstrating how to get a shopping cart of food out of the grocery store without paying for it would be a "stand on the right side of the issue"?
These digital protections are in place to protect artists and creators from having their work stolen. Region coding in particular prevents China, e.g., from flooding the US markets with their pirated DVDs and undercutting the whole industry.
Sure, sometimes these protections and laws can catch a few dolphins in their tuna nets, so to speak, but in general they're there for a reason. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can (and probably will) point out how some of these protections prevent legitimate activities (such as making archival copies for personal use, etc.), but all of these activities get abused by greedy, dishonest people. Only thieves and pirates would have a genuine need to circumvent them.
Region codes are neither encryption nor copy protection. Ergo, breaking it does not constitutes a DMCA violation.
I'd rather have someone respond than be modded up.