Norwegian engineer Jon Lech Johansen, perhaps better known as DVD Jon, for his release of the DeCSS software, used by millions to decode the content-scrambling system or (CSS) used for DVD licensing enforcement, has just registered the domain of www.deaacs.com. The purpose of this is presumably to have a website that will deal with the new and much more powerful, Advanced Access Content System or AACS that will accompany the new high definition discs that are coming soon with their respective players. Simply to download and read the 0.9 version of the AACS technology specifications of this newer Digital Rights Management control system, requires one to click on a licensing agreement!
Now working in the United States as a software engineer, this is a different environment than before, with different laws, so we have to wonder how this will play out in the legal sense. Mr. Johansen has said in his blog, that when he did not register the domain name of DeCSS, it was "a mistake" and one he wont repeat. While this is rather exciting to all of those that are concerned for fair use rights, we must also wonder how this could affect this man if he is not careful. Of course we do not even know what he is up to yet! At any rate, on the DeAACS website, there is simply a message stating a Winter 2006/2007 release. On his blog there is a message or at least a statement that includes a cryptic taunt at the end.
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AACS, like CSS, will be a success. Not at preventing piracy. That's not the primary objective of any DRM system. Anyone who has read the CSS license agreement knows that the primary objective is to control the market for players. Don't you just love when your DVD player tells you 'This operation is prohibited" when you try to skip the intro? 6 years ago I didn't think of registering decss.com. Not intending to make the same mistake twice, a while ago I registered deaacs.com. Now if only products that implement AACS would come to market… |
Possibly, rather than working on a code that completely strips AACS from the new fangled Blue Ray discs, maybe this time he will focus on thwarting the restraints that are being talked about for these next gen high definition discs. On Mr. Johansens blog several are commenting on how annoying it is to have to set through unwanted material on present day DVD movies.
There are rumors floating around about the power of managed copy, which will be used on both new formats of Blue-ray discs. It has been suggested that Managed Copy could be set up to charge the consumer for the ability to perform various tasks, such as for ripping the content for streaming in a home network.
At the moment, all we can really do is guess what he has in mind for this website and also we can wonder what the consequences would be for breaking controls on these new discs - if that is indeed coming in the future. Surely, we here all need to keep an eye on this situation as it continues to develop.
Source: Various
In my opinion, he has every right to crack it. If he can crack it, he has proven that the protection was too flawed.
And to make it freely available, is a chance for the paying customers to also enjoy their movies outside the boundaries the media corporations are forcing unto us.
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