AACS LA head speaks out

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 04 May 2007 7:57 User comments (13)

AACS LA businees group head Michael Ayers has made the first public comments since the 32-hex-digit media processing key was posted on Digg and then thousands of other web pages. He told BBC that the group was tracking down those responsible for the post and reserves the right to take serious legal action against them.

"There is no intent from us to interfere with people's right to discuss copy protection," the AACS LA's Michael Ayers told BBC technology editor Darren Waters. "We respect free speech... But a line is crossed when we start seeing keys being distributed and tools for circumvention. You step outside of the realm of protected free speech then."

Ayers' comments seem to point to the possibilty that a legal concern could emerge from just by saying the code, on the grounds that it constitutes a breach of provisions of the DMCA.

The AACS LA's position is that it is illegal to say something that can be used in the circuvention of copyright. If that is true, then I'm sure millions of you are violating federal law right this instant.

Ayers also confirmed that the key had been revoked and is now useless. This will cause a problem however, for users that paid for software that use the "09 f9" media key. "As newer HD DVD discs are distributed, revocation keys extracted from those discs by player software will cause software that uses the "09 F9" media key not to work."

More on the story here

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13 user comments

14.5.2007 22:42

PeaInAPod

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AfterDawn Addict

oh my god, lets hope they don't sue me! (insert sarcasm)

25.5.2007 01:31

pigfister

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sue the world is the new business of America as their media sucks this is the only way for them to survive!

35.5.2007 02:10

BcMester

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Newbie

Come on. You cannot copyright 32 hexadecimal numbers. And I don't see how I break the law just by saying it. Saying it in itself doesn't break the (useless) copy protection, it needs the appropriate software, and most importantly, the willingness of people to do it. :)

Quote:
The AACS LA's position is that it is illegal to say something that can be used in the circuvention of copyright. If that is true, then I'm sure millions of you are violating federal law right this instant.

Yeah, every one of us who read AfterDawn.com, because the numbers made the headlines here.

Quote:
Ayers also confirmed that the key had been revoked and is now useless.

Then whadda bleedin' hell is his problem with saying it? o.O

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 05 May 2007 @ 3:01

45.5.2007 07:13

fgamer

Inactive

Are these the hex numbers their talking about.. 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

55.5.2007 08:52

ZippyDSM

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AfterDawn Addict

the head needs to find his arse and place it within >>

pigfister
profits threw the courts, heres a thought give away some media halve the price onthe rest and you'll be the same or better off than you are polishing your swastikas!

65.5.2007 10:09

Cman

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I wish I had the original hard copy of the DMCA so I could wipe my butt with it and flush it.

75.5.2007 10:24

windsong

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Someone should catch that guy at one of his corporate parties when he is passed out and then tattoo the number to his forehead. :)

85.5.2007 10:45

cheezy_P

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Originally posted by windsong:
Someone should catch that guy at one of his corporate parties when he is passed out and then tattoo the number to his forehead. :)

That is the funniest thing i have heard all week!!!

95.5.2007 14:02

borhan9

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AfterDawn Addict

This maybe another silly idea but im going to say it anyway. All we need here is a key generator option in the software and we should be sweet.

105.5.2007 14:20

duckNrun

Inactive

I want to know how they are going to address the issue of revoking keys to peoples PAID FOR software because some guy they don't know breaks their crappy CP.

Will the software company offer free upgrades to new versions of the player when the version using the revoked keys no longer works? Will AACS send out vouchers for replacement software? Or is the consumer going to be expected to RE-PURCHASE the software again and every time that someone hacks the keys? Because I don't see that lasting very long!

115.5.2007 15:22

Tashammer

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Originally posted by duckNrun:
...
Will the software company offer free upgrades to new versions of the player when the version using the revoked keys no longer works? Will AACS send out vouchers for replacement software? Or is the consumer going to be expected to RE-PURCHASE the software again and every time that someone hacks the keys? Because I don't see that lasting very long!

Now this is very likely what will happen - customer rights vs caveat emptor is a no contest.

It's a merry go round aint it?

126.5.2007 20:09

akaangus

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I have heard insider rumours that the next code will be:
MATSHITA HDDVD-MOVIE

omg please don't sue

138.5.2007 23:10

georgeluv

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i read on afterdawn a little bit ago that the players manufacturer will send a firmware disk to anyone who needs it for free as firmware becomes available, just for this reason.

no excuses if you can just ask for an update at any time, but how will this effect the sale of used players? will they send free updates to 2nd hand owners?

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