Re: [Cdn-DMCA] RE: canada-dmca-opponents-digest V1 #46

From: "Chris Palmer" <cpalmer _-at-_ accesscable.net>
To: "No DMCA in Canada" <canada-dmca-opponents (at) flora.org>
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2002 16:18:40 -0400
References: <459F05C5CBAB824BB3DD965CC92BBFEA46BAC0@swan.spectrumsignal.com>

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From: "Chris Brand" <Chris_Brand@spectrumsignal.com>

> I only found how to register through slashdot, despite having sent in both
comments >and "comments on comments". Sent my registration request in
recently for >Vancouver (I can't travel anywhere else). Haven't heard
anything back yet. I presume >that we'll get some sort of confirmation ?


When I registered for Halifax, I did _not_ get any confirmation, but there
was a name tag etc waiting for me.
>
> I like the various "contradictory laws" arguments. One possible outcome of
this >proposal is that copyright law could become self-contradictory - I
could write a >program to defeat some DRM.

What interests me is that the copyright people told that I can read a file
with any program, not just the one authorised by the creator. This seems to
defeat any DRM.

They seem to be separating the right to make copies from any sort of access
control, access control is not part of their agenda. I don't know if this is
deliberate or an error on their part. A good deal of DRM may be beyond the
scope of copyright law. Ie, not being able to skip commercials on a TIVO
recorder or CSS on DVD's is not part of copyright but maybe contract law???

Focus on copying!!


> This program would be protected by copyright (i.e. copyright law
encourages this >creativity) and yet at the same time illegal under
copyright law (because it can be >used to defeat DRM).

It seems the program might be legal but the use of the program illegal, much
the same way as a crowbar does not become burglar tools unless found with me
in someone else's house.


> I believe that copyright law doesn't currently contain any disincentives
for creativity - >is this correct ?

Well, remember, the idea is don't copy someone else's work.

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