So it seems that the key for the HD-DVD encryption scheme has been broken. Unfortunately, distributing the method for decrypting a device is illegal according to the DMCA. But surely a key, as such, cannot be. This is a number all alone, it can’t be considered a machine. It is human-readable (as a number) but is not executable by itself.
For those new to the party, this is a recap of 2600‘s posting of the DeCSS code. A court found that publishing the code (or even links to the code) was a violation of the DMCA. Of course, this makes my dissertation (pdf, p. 268) illegal, along with this blog. I don’t know who has deep enough pockets to see this to the Supreme Court, but someone needs to try.
(The image to the right, of course, is the number in RGB colors–with leading zeros.)
Update (5/2): Copycats abound :)
2 Comments
great post! Quick and sharp
Soon it will be illegal to gaze upon such wisdom, what next?? How about copyrighting the letter “A” that should keep the lawyers busy for some time.
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