Linux Journal: Andre "Linux IDE Guy" Hedrick on proposed CPRM in IDE drives

"How will CPRM affect an ordinary desktop or server Linux user?"
"If it is never allowed to be executed, no effect. If it is executed, hope you backed up your stuff first."

"Will I be able to install and run Linux normally on a CPRM drive if I choose not to use any CPRM applications?"
"Yes, in principle. On a PC, there are 31 seconds that pass when you push the power button on, during which the BIOS is in control. Without very special tricks that I have not created yet, but have an idea how to, you can not control what happens during that window before Linux takes over."

"Will you need to modify the Linux IDE subsystem to handle CPRM drives?"
"Initially Linux may have to filter the return content of the IDENTIFY page from the device to prevent checking of the feature. An application that tries to use CPRM will abort."

"The CPRM command-set is most likely to be in the "RAW-IO" class of device access. Only the contiguous nature of the content to be placed on the media only makes this method of access practical. Linux does not support RAW-IO video streaming to date."

Complete Story

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• The Register: EFF's Gilmore calls for CPRM hardware boycott(Dec 27, 2000)
• The Register: Copy protection hard drive plan nixes free software - RMS(Dec 27, 2000)
• The Register: CPRM on hard drives - IBM takes a spin (Dec 26, 2000)
• The Register: Stealth plan puts copy protection into every hard drive; ramifications enormous(Dec 22, 2000)