[CLUE-Talk] eBooks...

[Steve Fry]

> Do other CLUEbies have resources for fighting the abhorrent DMCA?

http://www.boycottadobe.com/


Jeffery Cann wrote:
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> Greetings CLUBies,
> 
> How distressing is the DMCA - Digital Millenium Copyright Act?  Just like
> DeCSS, another 'hacker' was arrested by the U.S. FBI for violating the DMCA.
> There are a number of links, but this Las Vegas Sun article provides details:
> 
> http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-crime/2001/jul/18/512096646.html
> 
> Here is an interesting article that is written from the perspective of the
> eBook publishers:
> 
> http://www.ebookweb.org/opinion/roger.sperberg.20010712.aebpr.htm
> 
> The problem, IMHO with the DMCA with respect to eBooks is that publishers
> want to take away the rights you currently have with paper books.  For
> example, it is difficult to 'lend' an eBook; however, it is simple and easy
> for me to lend you any paper book.
> 
> Another problem is that the DMCA makes it ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE IN THE UNITED
> STATES to posses programs like the AEBPR program (for which the Russian
> 'hacker' was arrested) .  The program removes the Adobe eBook 'security'
> (term used loosely).
> 
> An even bigger problem with the DMCA is the lack of due process.  As in the
> DeCSS case, Adobe sucessfully alleged and pressured the web hosting providers
> of Elcomsoft (makers of AEBPR) to force their web site to shut down.  This
> happened more than once.
> 
> Isn't it nice to think that the DMCA removes the idea of 'innocent until
> proven guilty'?
> 
> Will the eBook restrictions slow the adoption of eBooks?  In our generation,
> I think they will.  However, our children (and future generations) are at
> risk. They will grow up in a digital world.  They will not know the
> difference between eBooks and 'real' books.  They will not know that they
> have lost their rights.  That their government (acting on our behalf) has
> sold all of them down the river in return for political gain (I'm referring
> to the DMCA).
> 
> Unfortunately, we humans have become (in general) too lazy and apathetic
> to do anything about the constant erosion of our personal rights.  Rights
> given away under the guise of 'piracy protection'.  I am personally sickened
> by these charades, but I am unsure where to direct my energy to 'do
> something'.  I am aware of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
> - -http://www.eff.org and its fight for our on-line rights.  Anyone can make a
> donation.
> 
> Do other CLUEbies have resources for fighting the abhorrent DMCA?
> 
> Jeff
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