DMCA Invoked Against Garage Door Openers

boijames writes "In the latest bit of DMCA lunacy, copyright guru David Nimmer turned me onto a case that his firm is defending, where a garage door opener company (The Chamberlain Group) has leveled a DMCA claim (among other claims) against the maker of universal garage door remotes (Skylink)."

Comments

fp

[Old Wolf]

So, when does the court case open?

Re:fp

[Anonymous Coward]

Won;t open... they're using a universal remote :)

This is obvious

[Merkins]

It's an open and shut case.

Boom boom

Re:This is obvious

[Anonymous Coward]

It's an open and shut case.

I think it's going to have its ups and downs. Skylink's chances are pretty remote. These kinds of cases really push my buttons because they could signal the future for the DMCA's lawsuits.

Buh-da-bum-buh-da-bum-bum-schtingggg!!!!

IN SOVIET RUSSIA

[Old Wolf]

They fight against US laws restricting freedom of speech...

Oh how the tables have turned

HAND?

[Doctor Hu]

Admittedly, the hand I use to open my own garage door could be considered a digital device, but I thought that living organisms could only be patented, not copyrighted.

--
"Observation collapsed the wave function of the experimental subject to a deceased state" - Schroedinger

Who needs a universal garage door remote, anyway?

[algernon7]

What did they do, lose the REAL garage door opener in the couch?

I mean, really - LOOK IN YOUR CAR.

Or was it that lugging around all the remotes for the ever present seven car garage was getting tiresome?

Re:Sure, you can have guns...

[GigsVT]

Isn't it ridiculous how people can have lethal chemicals, like Dihydrogen Monoxide, and yet the DMCA is around?

Dihydrogen Monoxide kills more people per year than any other chemical.

Re:This is good

[$rtbl_this]

I think that some day you'll have to pay a tax for saying "Mickey".

That's just taking the mick... er... piss! I meant to say "piss" (well, assuming that doesn't get me sued by the brewers of Fosters).

I know what Slashdotters are afraid of loosing :-)

[Jugalator]

What does this tell of the lifestyle of /.-ers? :-)

Hmm... Anyway, I think I got the message, thanks for your comparisons. :-)

I wouldn't be surprised...
If universal tv remote manufacturers are next on the list to be hit by the DMCA

Universal Remotes
Well I guess Universal remotes are next.

This sux .....
..ass bigntime. What is next? Universal TV remotes?

Is the DMCA retroactive?
-snip- I guess the next thing on the list is el-cheapo TV remotes being removed from the market

What's next?
Banning universal TV remote controls?

Does this make my palm pilot illegial?
I can use my palm pilot as a TV remote, is this illegial too now?

Don't foget

[hoagieslapper]

And don't forget about IBM and their Universal Bussiness Adapter.

Re:The complaints are contradictory

[andyt]

So, it's like having a building with a super-duper unpickable lock on the front door, but with an unlocked door on the side.

AKA "Helmsdeep"? :-)

Re:Straw man?

[operagost]

I'd say XOR is a minor fifth up from rot-13

That would have to be a diminished fifth. ;-)

Re:All Your Base Indeed...

[zentigger]

We actually have a criminal charge for jokers like this in Canada. It's called mischief. The idea is that someone must be able to show that there is some merrit, and the law somehow applies to their case before they file suit. Usually this is accomplished by consulting a lawyer.

I beleive that contempt of court charges can also be applied in a case where someone brings a case before a judge and the judge is forced to publicly laugh at their stupidity.

No...

[No Such Agency]

But they can sue YOU for telling us all about this circumvention technique. After all, the BF1942 CD has "substantial non-infringing use"... But you chose to tell us how to utilize its one infringing use :-)