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Danish DRM Breaker Turns Himself In To Test Backup Law

Posted by timothy on from the impure-impurity-and-impureness dept.

coaxial writes "In Denmark, it's legal to make copies of commercial videos for backup or other private purposes. It's also illegal to break the DRM that restricts copying of DVDs. Deciding to find out which law mattered, Henrik Anderson reported himself for 100 violations of the DRM-breaking law (he ripped his DVD collection to his computer) and demanded that the Danish anti-piracy Antipiratgruppen do something about it. They promised him a response, then didn't respond. So now he's reporting himself to the police. He wants a trial, so that the legality of the DRM-breaking law can be tested in court."

2 of 466 comments (clear)

  1. Re:law vs. law by Grygus · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Is making a backup merely legal, or is it expressed as a right? If the former, you're correct, but if it's the latter then DRM conflicts.

  2. They did respond... by slimjim8094 · · Score: 1, Redundant

    he just couldn't hear it over the sound of his gong-size balls knocking together.

    Seriously. I want to buy this guy a beer.

    It seems likely the police/DA are going to be like "what, are you stupid?" and not prosecute the case. But in that case, I should hope that attitude gets used as precedent - if nobody cares enough to do anything to this guy, even when he makes it so easy, why should they do it to someone who makes it hard?

    (the preceding is essentially American law, apologies in advance for where it doesn't apply)

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