WIRED: U.S.: DVD Decoder is Terrorware

You might have thought you were downloading DeCSS so you could play DVD's on your Linux machine, but the US Attorneys arguing over the 2600/DeCSS case know that's just the first step to "programs that shut down navigational programs in airplanes or smoke detectors in hotels."

The US DoJ has weighed in on the side of the Motion Picture Association of America on this particular case.

According to this report from the court room, arguments like that may have the geeks in the back row snickering, but the issue has far-reaching consequences as attorneys for the MPAA maintain that far from picking on 2600, they'd consider suits against the New York Times and others for linking to software they believe violates their copyrights.

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• Wired: A Thorn in Hollywood's Side(Mar 21, 2001)
• The Register: Tiny C code bests seven-line DVD decoder(Mar 14, 2001)
• TechLaw Journal: Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia on the DMCA and Fair Use Doctrine(Mar 08, 2001)
• Wired: Descramble That DVD in 7 Lines(Mar 07, 2001)
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• Fox News: Teen-age Norwegian computer geek: A villain to Hollywood, a hero to hackers(Feb 25, 2001)
• CNET News.com: DOJ stands with film industry in DVD cracking case(Feb 23, 2001)
• Linux.com: Playing DVDs with Xine(Feb 22, 2001)
• LinuxNews.com: Move Over, Spartacus--Here Comes DeCSS(Oct 30, 2000)
• NY Times: Copyright Office Backs Ban on Code-Breaking Software(Oct 30, 2000)