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Researchers Want Right to Bypass Protected Spyware

Posted by Zonk on from the just-a-peek dept.

Dotnaught writes "Computer security researchers Professor Edward Felten and Alex Halderman have asked the U.S. Copyright Office for an exemption (pdf) to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) so that they can circumvent copy protection technology used to protect spyware. The DMCA currently makes it illegal to bypass digital locks almost regardless of what they protect or the user's intent. As noted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Copyright Office theoretically grants exemptions, but in reality discourages anyone from asking. What's significant about the application submitted by Felten and Halderman is that they knew about the dangers posed by Sony's XCP DRM software a month before the news became public. But they delayed publication for fear of prosecution. During that time, many more consumers fell victim to the spyware propagated by Sony."

5 of 266 comments (clear)

  1. Glad to see it! by Thunderstruck · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm glad to see this. Up to now I thought the only thing the U.S. Copyright office did was register the official names of stars in cooperation with some official sounding international registry about which I know very little.

    (sic)

    --
    Trying to use sarcasm in text-based forums does not work.
  2. Re:It's Really Sad That... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    So... you're saying there should only be laws about sucking up, pandering, money grubbing, and backstabbing?

  3. US Govt At Your Service! by faqmaster · · Score: 2, Funny

    Researchers: "Give us the right to bypass protected spyware!"

    U.S. Copyright Office: "No problem. That'll be $10,000,000; small, non-sequential bills, please."

    --
    Are you...Are you some kind of genius?
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  4. Idea for killing DMCA by kimvette · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hey script kiddies and virus creators (I know at least SOME slashdotters are. Come on, admit it, you're out there!), want to help kill DMCA?

    In your next trojan horse and virus releases, implement some sort of DRM which will make it illegal for anyone to remove the utilities. You can then prosecute Symantec, etc. citing DMCA violations. This will show just how evil the DMCA really is.

    --
    The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
  5. I for one welcome... by AmazingRuss · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...our new gorgonzola overlords!