I was forced to remove my copy of the DeCSS code this spring by UNC as
a result of a complaint by the MPAA.
Now, the MPAA is trying to force me to remove a LINK to the code from
my class page. This is enough to make me want to throw up.
-- Greg
----- Forwarded message from Jeanne Smythe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -----
Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2000 12:42:33 -0700
From: mpaa23 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [hostmaster] ils.unc.edu/inls183/resources.shtml#Dvd
MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.
15503 VENTURA BOULEVARD
ENCINO, CALIFORNIA 91436
UNITED STATES
PHONE:
(818) 728-8127
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Anti-Piracy Operations
UNC Hostmaster
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ATN_CB#3420 Abernethy Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3420
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fax: 919-962-5604
Date: August 28, 2000
RE: Illegal Provision of DeCSS/Circumvention Device
Site/URL: ils.unc.edu/inls183/resources.shtml#Dvd
MPAA File#: 5-671-294
Dear UNC Hostmaster:
The Motion Picture Association of America is authorized to act on
behalf of the following copyright owners:
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Paramount Pictures Corporation
TriStar Pictures, Inc.
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
United Artists Pictures, Inc.
United Artists Corporation
Universal City Studios, Inc.
Warner Bros., a Division of
Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.
We have knowledge that the above-referenced Internet site is providing
a circumvention device commonly known as DeCSS. DeCSS is a software
utility that decrypts or unscrambles the contents of DVDs (consisting
of copyrighted motion pictures) or otherwise circumvents the
protection afforded by the Contents Scramble System (CSS) and permits
the copying of the DVD contents and/or any portion thereof. As such,
DeCSS is an unlawful circumvention device within the meaning of the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. �1201(a)(2),(3).
Providing or offering DeCSS to the public on your system or network
violates the provisions of �1201(a)(2) which prohibits the
"manufacturing, importing or offering to the public, providing, or
otherwise trafficking" in an unlawful circumvention device. (17
U.S.C. �1201 et seq. hereafter is referred to as the "DMCA").
On August 17, 2000, a federal district court in the Southern District
of New York confirmed that offering, providing, or trafficking in
DeCSS, or any other device designed to circumvent CSS, violates the
DMCA. The district court granted a permanent injunction against (1)
posting on any Internet site, or in any other way manufacturing,
importing or offering to the public, providing, or otherwise
trafficking in DeCSS or any other technology primarily designed to
circumvent CSS, and (2) linking any Internet web site, either directly
or through a series of links, to any other Internet web site
containing DeCSS.
The district court's ruling makes clear that by providing DeCSS, the
above- referenced Internet site violates the DMCA. We therefore
demand that you:
1) take appropriate steps to cause immediate removal of DeCSS from the
above identified URL, along with such other actions as may be
necessary or appropriate to suspend this illegal activity;
2) provide appropriate notice to the subscriber or account holder
responsible for the presence of DeCSS on your system or network,
advising him/her of the contents of this notice and directing that
person to contact the undersigned immediately at the e-mail address
provided above;
3) advise us of the name and physical address of the person operating
this site; and
4) maintain, and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the
destruction of, all records, including electronic records, in your
possession or control respecting this URL, account holder or
subscriber.
Failure to comply with these measures will subject you to liability
pursuant to the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. �101 et seq.
By copy of this letter, the owner of the above-referenced URL and/or
email account is hereby directed to cease and desist from the conduct
complained of herein.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Your immediate
response is requested.
The information in this notification is accurate, and we declare,
under penalty of perjury, that the Motion Picture Association is
authorized to act on behalf of the owner[s] of exclusive rights
described above.
Should you have any questions, please contact us at the above listed address.
Respectfully,
The Motion Picture Association of America
2
1
DeCSS (Domestic) 08/28/00
----- End forwarded message -----
