“An effort by the movie industry to prevent illegal copying
of digital video discs, or DVDs, could turn into a crucial battle
over the fundamental rights of Internet users.”
“At issue is the question of whether Web site operators can help
distribute a piece of software that can defeat the security system
built into millions of DVDs, thus enabling people to make illegal
copies.”
“One reason the studios like DVD is because the system includes
special encryption technology that is supposed to make it
impossible to copy a DVD. But in November, computer hackers in
Norway unveiled a program called DeCSS that breaks the DVD
encryption system.”
“Now the DVD Copy Control Association Inc., a DVD industry
group, is moving to prevent a wave of DVD piracy.”