They also got an exemption for modifying of abandoned games whose activation systems are long since gone, as well as extending/clarifying the jailbreaking exemption.
That seems like great news for GOG.
EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
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Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#12Wow. I didn't expect the Librarian OF Congress would have a say in this case, but he/she does: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Librarian_of_Congress
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#13They also got an exemption for modifying of abandoned games whose activation systems are long since gone, as well as extending/clarifying the jailbreaking exemption.
That seems like great news for GOG.
>> They also got an exemption for modifying of abandoned games whose activation systems are long since gone
That sounds to me like it would allow you to patch a game you already owned, but not to copy and sell that game. How does it help GOG?
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#14Will this have any effect on the John Deer issue?
I'm not a lawyer, but the EFF mentions tractors in their press release: > We are pleased that analysts will now be able to examine the software in the cars we drive without facing legal threats from car manufacturers, and that the Librarian has acted to promote competition in the vehicle aftermarket and protect the long tradition of vehicle owners tinkering with their cars and tractors.
Indeed, this is the issue on which John Deere weighed in on the other side (trying to prevent this decision from coming out this way).
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#15“It’s absurd that we have to spend so much time, every three years, filing and defending these petitions to the copyright office. Technologists, artists, and fans should not have to get permission from the government—and rely on the contradictory and often nonsensical rulings—before investigating whether their car is lying to them or using their phone however they want,” said EFF Legal Director Corynne McSherry. “But…
The system sucks, but it's the system we have, and it costs money to fight these battles. If you like the result here, consider setting up a recurring donation to the EFF.
Yep. This is a great reminder why we should all donate to EFF [and that I haven't renewed my membership since a few months ago]
Edit: membership now renewed
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#16Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#17Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the progress - but doesn't this just mean they'll make it harder to crack?
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#18They also got an exemption for modifying of abandoned games whose activation systems are long since gone, as well as extending/clarifying the jailbreaking exemption.
That seems like great news for GOG.
GOG buys rights to distribute the original works for pennies on the dollar, the exemption EFF got is that you are allowed to reverse engineer and distribute software which can be used to run games that you own for systems that are no longer available, as well as transfer the games from their original media to modern ones in order to preserve them.
It doesn't not however give people the license to sell those games commercially doesn't matter if they are "abandonware" or not.
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
The system sucks, but it's the system we have, and it costs money to fight these battles. If you like the result here, consider setting up a recurring donation to the EFF.
Yep. This is a great reminder why we should all donate to EFF [and that I haven't renewed my membership since a few months ago] Edit: membership now renewed
Also, if you shop at Amazon, use smile.amazon.com for purchases, after hooking it up to EFF.
It's the "Give % of sales to non-profit of your choice" option in Amazon.
Re: EFF Wins Petition to Inspect and Modify Car Software
#20Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the progress - but doesn't this just mean they'll make it harder to crack?
This is just the same old issue of DRM as before: create a system that works when the user is running it like they're supposed to, but doesn't reveal anything when they're not. And it's never worked. Probably can never work. Cory Doctorow talks about it in his talks on eliminating DRM. Basically, at the end of the day, the only real means we have of making DRM "work" is using laws (which, of course, doesn't stop criminals, only people who are trying to do things legally).