Re: Hardcore Computist Magazine online...

[Sheldon Simms <sheldonsimms@yahoo.com>]

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 18:45:58 +0000, Michael J. Mahon wrote:

> So, here is a fun game:  create a disk which does something
> trivial, like print "Try to copy me." on the screen, then release
> it for others to try to normalize it.  As long as the copy protection
> is expressly characterized as a game, does the DMCA have any
> applicability...?
> 
> This is an interesting application of free speech.  I am clearly
> free to create any "game" I choose, and if playing the game
> involves understanding and removing copy protection _by design_,
> then how can this be prohibited by law?  In other words, if the
> intent of the "protector" was that the protection be disabled by
> the user, then where is the illegality?

I don't think anyone would argue that it would be illegal. In
this case the purpose of the copy protection isn't to protect
"intellectual property" but instead exists simply to provide
a challenge.