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[IP] more on Is Real's 'hacking' of iPod legal?





Begin forwarded message:

From: L Jean Camp <jean_camp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: August 2, 2004 5:12:54 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Ip <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] Is Real's 'hacking' of iPod legal?

Dave,

The use of so-called copyright control technologies and indeed security technologies have been most valued when the goal is to prevent competition. Printers that "securely" connect to ink cartridges, and cars where only the dealership can stop the 'service engine' light are the most common example.

Security technology, at its heart a technology of control, is not somehow magically immune from economics. Apple wants to provide the greatest value in its music network, make switching unpleasant as possible, and prevent competition. So do the mobile companies, the landline companies, and event the airlines.

That is why making it illegal to "subvert" " security" technology is fundamentally anti-competitive. We have seen but the beginning of the problems with that very bad law.

regards,
Jean

editor of  "The Economics of Information Security"
http://www.springeronline.com/sgw/cda/frontpage/0,10735,4-40356-22 -33336580-0,00.html

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