[free-sklyarov] Is the Open Source movement at risk from the DMCA?

Jon O . jono at microshaft.org
Wed Jul 25 14:36:01 PDT 2001


Ok, so we need to get the Open Source people a FAQ or 
quick sheet on this so they help...

I'd never read this. Crazy...


On 25-Jul-2001, J.E. Cripps wrote:
> 
> 
> > Is the Open Source movement at risk from the DMCA?
> 
> > Microsoft Word contains a proprietary file format. Open
> > Source developers often work to reverse engineer this
> > format in order to create compatible products. Star
> > Office is a Word alternative and can read these word
> > documents. Is it only a matter of time before MS says
> > you are circumventing a protection?
> 
> > Anyone care to comment?
> 
> 
> "A subtle danger is that the DMCA gives companies effective permanent
> patents on file formats. What if the next MS Word format were to claim
> DMCA protection because it could be used to "Protect Copyright"?  All MS
> have to do is add a "Do not copy" flag to a Word document and we could
> say goodbye to Star Office etc. I wonder if the DMCA could be applied
> to something like an authentication protocol - MS Passport for example?"
> --Richard Corfield, on c.o.l.a., c. July 21, 2001




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