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DMCA Means You Can't Delete Files On Your PC?

Posted by kdawson on from the heck-of-a-way-to-apply-for-a-job dept.

DragonHawk writes "According to Wired, John Stottlemire found a way to print duplicate coupons from Coupons.com by deleting some files and registry entires on his PC. Now he's being sued for a DMCA violation. He says, 'All I did was erase files or registry keys.' Says a lawyer: '[The DMCA] may cover this. I think it does give companies a lot of leverage and a lot of power.' So now the copyright cartels are saying that not only can we not copy things on our computers, but we can't delete things on our computers? Time to buy stock in Seagate."

7 of 511 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Wow by Cassius+Corodes · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't say crazy things like that!

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    Control is an illusion, order our comforting lie. From chaos, through chaos, into chaos we fly
  2. DM-Copyright-A by ben+there... · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA, the guy was busted for "posting code and instructions that allow shoppers to circumvent copy protection on downloadable, printable coupons". Not exactly busted for simply "deleting some files" eh? Ahh, the great art of coupon design. Next thing you know they'll all be sharing them and viewing them on their iPods.

  3. wired, you're a whore by blhack · · Score: 3, Funny

    I work at wired and right now some of our editors are putting together a story about an Arizona State University student being sued by Random House for covering his OWN PAPER with ink! Appearantly these jerks now think that their copyrights should extend to the very paper in your printer.
    "All i did was apply a little ink to some of my paper, is that a crime now too?" says some jackass. Clearly the book companies need a lesson on copyright violation. /just kidding //you insensative clod.

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    NewslilySocial News. No lolcats allowed.
  4. Re:Intentionally misleading by ystar · · Score: 2, Funny

    EULAs can definitely have ridiculous stipulations. That's why this is a bit OT i suppose. The DMCA however, as you perfectly put it, needs to be fair and consistent. I suppose once I write a really killer app, I'll have the nether regions of my EULA require consentees to accept that, should the user leave the computer on overnight, they will accept the fact that when they sit down, they will be facing a fresh copy of ubuntu performed over a network install, bandwidth permitting. Naturally, I'd have an opt-out clause, which would only require users to endure a goatse splash screen.

  5. Re:The purpose is to create criminals by Danse · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bureaucrat Ferris: "Well, what do you think they're there for?" Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed? We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against . . . We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them." There goes the villain, monologuing again. That's when you gotta make your escape!
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    It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds. - Captain Hammer
  6. Re:Oh, Please by MightyMartian · · Score: 2, Funny

    We really, really need the ability to mod parent articles.
    If we did that, anyone who is set to view +1 and up would just see an empty page.
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    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  7. Re:Wouldn't there be easier ways to sue him? by rastoboy29 · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's the problem with the DMCA--it makes it illegal to be smart enough to "crack" the "effective protection".

    Don't you know smart people are uncool?  Well, now it's illegal, too.

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    expandfairuse.org