[ale] SSSCA rears its (ugly) head once more

[Pete Hardie]

Swantje Willms wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure I even understand what is involved. The copying of what does
> this scheme protect?
> The content of the drive? - That wouldn't make sense, because it would
> make backups of data impossible...
> (Certain) software? - That has nothing to do with the drive, really. It
> can be supplied by the software if desired.
> 
> Can someone explain this copy-protection scheme thing?

All computer hardware (MP3 players, etc) would have hardware that would check
for
licensing before copying data, so that you could not copy a song from your
CD to your harddrive unless you had permission; additionally, the soundcard
would
have similar hardware that would block audio output from a file unless you had 
permission.  These would make it possible for the content transporters to limit
your use of digital content (MP3s, CDs, digitally-recorded TV, etc) to whatever
they wanted - imagine a charge for every viewing of a DVD, or MP3.

It's bad because it removes the existing right of fair use (backup copies,
timeshifting,
and different devices), and it would allow the MPAA/RIAA/etc to *fully* control
how/when we were able to use data we've paid for, without providing any need for 
more money to go to the content producers (actors, writers, singers).

-- 
Pete Hardie                   |   Goalie, DVSG Dart Team
    posting from, but not     |
	speaking for:             |
Scientific Atlanta, Digital Video Services Group

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