Unjournalism

Digg fights for our right to copy

Posted on May 7th, 2007 by Mike Keliher

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To catch you up: Somebody posted on a Web site a bit of code that enables geeks to circumvent copy production on HD-DVDs or Blu-Ray discs. The Digg community got involved. Shit flew.

The Advanced Access Content System is an organization that “helps ensure that content is secure across devices and media while it maintains the highest standards and flexibility.” That is to say, they don’t like the circumvention of copy protection. The groups founding members, mind you, are companies like Sony, Microsoft, Disney and Warner Brothers.

Michael Ayers, chair of the AACS’s business group, said, “[A] line is crossed when we start posting keys and tools for circumvention.”

Nuh uh, stupid head. I line is crossed when illegal copies are made. It might be tough to stop, but that’s the nature of the content business. Deal with it. Besides, there are legal uses for circumventing DVD protection, and you shouldn’t assume all of your consumers are criminals.

I’m in PR. When PR Newswire sales guys tell me they’re visiting companies, helping them understand how news distribution on the Web works, how to incorporate social media into communication efforts, etc., do I say, “Hey, bitch. You can’t do that”?

No. Because I’m in the service industry, and that’s the nature of my game. I have to provide better service. Like, “Yeah, they’ll help you figure out plenty of ways to use PR Newswire. I’ll actually help you figure out public relations.” You’re in the content business, which has its risks and its rewards. Slap people who illegally steal your intellectual property. Then go home and hug your kids (who, by the way, probably didn’t pay for the stuff on their iPods). And please, for god’s sake, quit trying to say that digital “rights” management garbage makes for a better “experience” for the customer. That’s maybe the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard.

By the way, on the AACS’s Web site, there’s a news item that says:

In response to attacks against certain PC-based applications for playing HD DVD and Blu-ray movie discs, Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator, LLC (“AACS LA”) announces that it has taken action, in cooperation with relevant manufacturers, to expire the encryption keys associated with the specific implementations of AACS-enabled software.

Consumers can continue to enjoy content that is protected by the AACS technology by refreshing the encryption keys associated with their HD DVD and Blu-ray software players. This refresh process is accomplished via a straightforward online update.

Translation: Because we have given the phrase “royal asshole” a whole new meaning and assumed all of our customers are of a criminal nature, you can’t play these discs until to get our little update. You already bought the content, but we don’t trust you with that. By the way, we’ll be checking your hard drive for illegal scans of the magazine you just bought, too.