Microsoft sues anonymous DRM hacker

gonzo · 10-01-2006

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft Corp. has sued an anonymous computer hacker whose free program allows users to copy digital movies and songs by bypassing a software protection built into the company's Media player.
(MSNBC.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal News.)

The world's biggest software maker charges the hacker known as "Viodentia" has illegally obtained propriety source code to produce the program called FairUse4WM, sparking fears it could enable consumers to illegally copy digital content.

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Hammer · 10-02-2006

FairUse4WM. That name cracks me up. Like somehow it's wrong to profit from the Internet and everything should be free for the taking.

"The program's name is a reference to legal rulings in which courts recognize "fair use" as the ability for consumers to copy recordings for personal use. Some consumer advocates argue that the digital media industry is ignoring that right in its attempt to stop illegal duplication."

There is a good reason for that law in cases where you buy a CD for example and want to copy it for your own personal use, considering you paid for it. However, in the case of a website that uses DRM so that their videos only play as long as your membership is active, I can't see how there's anything wrong with that. Your $25 membership means you are 'renting' the videos as long as you're a member, you didn't just buy thousands of dollars worth of videos for $25.

10-01-2006	#1
gonzo Fat Fucking Nobody Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta,Ga. Posts: 17,795 Blog Entries: 11	Microsoft sues anonymous DRM hacker SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft Corp. has sued an anonymous computer hacker whose free program allows users to copy digital movies and songs by bypassing a software protection built into the company's Media player. (MSNBC.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal News.) The world's biggest software maker charges the hacker known as "Viodentia" has illegally obtained propriety source code to produce the program called FairUse4WM, sparking fears it could enable consumers to illegally copy digital content. more on DRM 4 Free __________________ We are putting the bastards of this world on notice; greed and corruption will always be met with "a voice made of ink and rage." "Never try and be like anyone else" - Hunter S. Thompson "The truth is the truth no matter how you try and package a lie" - Shellee Hale

10-02-2006	#2
Hammer Master of My Domains Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 1,701	Re: Microsoft sues anonymous DRM hacker FairUse4WM. That name cracks me up. Like somehow it's wrong to profit from the Internet and everything should be free for the taking. "The program's name is a reference to legal rulings in which courts recognize "fair use" as the ability for consumers to copy recordings for personal use. Some consumer advocates argue that the digital media industry is ignoring that right in its attempt to stop illegal duplication." There is a good reason for that law in cases where you buy a CD for example and want to copy it for your own personal use, considering you paid for it. However, in the case of a website that uses DRM so that their videos only play as long as your membership is active, I can't see how there's anything wrong with that. Your $25 membership means you are 'renting' the videos as long as you're a member, you didn't just buy thousands of dollars worth of videos for $25. __________________ Porn Site Pros - Custom Website Design, Turnkey Webcam and Pay Sites, SEO, and Consulting