Re: Bug#223961: libdvdread3: makes download of possibly illegal libdvdcss too easy
Andreas Metzler <ametzler@downhill.at.eu.org> writes:
>> Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If I choose to use an MP3 encoder in
>> this country without paying Frauenhofer and Thomson exorbitant fees, I'm
>> taking that risk. Any reasonable user should already know that libdvdcss
>> is dangerous, and if one doesn't want one's door battered in by the
>> cops, one shouldn't use it.
> [...]
>
> Afaik the German Law is stricter than that. It is verboten to describe
> ways to circumvent an "wirksamer Kopierschutz". (a copy protection
> method that is working.), e.g. you might get in trouble with respect
> to criminal law if you post an article to German usenet, describing
> how to copy copy-protected CD foo with program bar.
Well, in that case the copy protection isn't working, is it? I just
took Germany off my list of free countries.
> If this issue applied to libdvdcss2 Debian would be in trouble.
>
> However if you copy copy-protected CD foo with program bar at home you
> won't be persecuted by criminal law, but the manufacturar might start
> private action against you, claiming compensation.
>
> Now try to apply the latter on "playing a DVD with xine using
> libdvdcss2" instead of "copying a CD", I really cannot see which
> damage the DVD manufacturarer could claim compensation for.
Very few people can see that logic. Unfortunately, it seems the MPAA
can. The worst part, their lawyers see it too.
--
Måns Rullgård
mru@kth.se
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