Re: It's legal to crack Apple II copy protection

[russotto@grace.speakeasy.net (Matthew Russotto)]

In article <20031029135053.28166.00000312@mb-m27.aol.com>,
Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote:
>Matthew Russotto wrote:
>
>>In article <apple22-DCD232.22544428102003@zeus-ge0.rdc-kc.rr.com>,
>>Greg Buchner  <apple22@mn.rr.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>�  Computer programs or video games that use obsolete formats or 
>>>hardware 
>>>
>>><Should include anything Apple II related...>
>>
>>Yes, but the exemption only applies to the act of circumvention in
>>order to gain access to the work, which is damn-near unreachable
>>anyway.  It does not apply to trafficking in circumvention devices
>>(e.g. Copy II Plus) nor does it apply to circumvention in order to
>>copy the work, nor does it apply to any actual copyright violation.
>
>But it does seem to open the door for people to defeat the copy
>protection on obsolete works to archive them for future use--

As long as they don't make or acquire any tools to do so.  And don't
make any copies when doing it.  Only the act of circumvention to
obtain access is permitted.  Circumventing to make a copy (e.g. to
archive the work) is not permitted.  

>a very critical requirement for the preservation of digital works which would
>otherwise be locked into failing or obsolete media.

There's still no way to do it without breaking a few laws.

-- 
Matthew T. Russotto                            mrussotto@speakeasy.net
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue."  But extreme restriction of liberty in pursuit of 
a modicum of security is a very expensive vice.