Slashdot Mirror
FairUse4WM Breaks Windows DRM
An anonymous reader writes "FairUse4WM, according to engadget, "can be used to strip Windows Media DRM 10 and 11". What does the slashdot community think of this development in the ongoing cat-and-mouse game going on between big media and what is available online?"
who encodes/downloads in WM anyway?
they say it is often more relevant then the comment above, all we know is its called the Sig!
That would be better, if music distribution was not run by a cartel, repeatedly convicted of abusing their control of the market. I'd love to see everyone become enlightened and move to all DRM-free indy music, but realistically, the market will not properly counter a monopoly or cartel and the legal system and legislature are corrupt and easily bribed.
The market is properly countering the media cartel, and that's through piracy.
Note: Some people incorrectly use "the market" as a synonym for corporate activity, and sometimes for customers. The market encompasses all trade between entities, including illegal and regulated trade. The fact that filesharers sell their goods for zero cost and that the act of sharing copyrighted files is regulated doesn't change the fact that their activity is still a part of the market. I'm not saying that you did this, but your post did make more sense taken in that context.
I thought the comment was quite clear and concise, however, I will provide a bit of further detail.
A common misconception of property owners is that they have the right to do anything they want to the property at anytime...like a chunk of playdoh. "I can do anything I want to it, damnit...its mine!" Your property is subject to regulation at local, municipal, regional, state and federal levels. Don't forget building and fire inspections. Heck, if the government wants...they can take your property away via imminent(sic?) domain for a interstate. (or more recently, for private development!) Property laws and rules have precedent stretching back before the USA to British common law.
That "I can do anything to it, its mine!" mentality strikes again with hard drives (Look...playdoh!) and intellectual property, licensing and DRM issues. Underneath, its all about PROPERTY! While property laws regarding physical property have had centuries to sort themselves out via the legal system, Intellectual property has only had about a full half century to sort itself out. Precedent has to be applied, and is drawn from interpreting existing property and copyright laws.
Summary: (Physical) Property rights are closely interrelated with Intelectual property rights (licensing, DRM, how the ones and zeros on your physical HD line up.)
I'm awake! The answer is BONK!