Re: [OT] DMCA loop hole

Paul G. Allen (pgallen@randomlogic.com)
Wed, 01 Aug 2001 02:40:35 -0700


James Simmons wrote:
>
> Sorry this is off topic but this was way to good :-)
>
> Virus writers can use the DMCA in a perverse way. Because
> computer viruses are programs, they can be copyrighted just like a
> book, song, or movie. If a virus writer were to use encryption to hide
> the code of a virus, an anti-virus company could be forbidden by the
> DMCA to see how the virus works without first getting the permission
> of the virus writer. If they didn't, a virus writer could sue the
> anti-virus company under the DMCA!

I like this and I must forward it to all my network security colleagues.
It would serve the writers of DMCA right if they a) were victim to a
virus, trojan, or worm and b) were sued under the very law they created
for reverse engineering it and publicizing a fix.

PGA
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