Overheard
In a cafe:
First person: I'm trying to learn to copy an entire DVD onto my hard drive [points at laptop] -- that would be really convenient.Second person: You can do that?
First person: You can, but I haven't quite figured it out yet.
Second person: Is that legal?
First person: I think it's legal -- I know you're copying it, but I think you're allowed to make one copy of something for your own use.
I resisted the temptation to give them a five-hour lecture on DeCSS, DVD Video, Universal v. Reimerdes and its appellate history, the WIPO Internet treaties, DVD CCA v. McLaughlin and its much more interesting (and encouraging) appellate history, the CPTWG, the Gallery of CSS Descramblers, Bernstein, 1201, and two upcoming bills to reform the DMCA's anticircumvention rules which are due to be introduced in the very near future.
"a DVD litigation fan, the way many people are science fiction fans..."
