On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 09:17:46 +1200, Nick Rout <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > more importantly a human is not a "device service or information"
But a computer is. Such a law could make it mandatory for *all* computers to have DRM built in at a hardware level, since that is the only conceivable way of protecting computers from their owners/leasees. I am *very* concerned at the prospect that one day, maybe soon, I will not be able to buy a general purpose computer that I can fully control. Apart from privacy/freedom issues, there's the cost issue. Once megacorp has full control over what software will run, there will be little competition and megacorp can charge whatever they like for software that used to be available gratis through the open source community. Getting back to the privacy/freedom issue, Stallman's "right to read" scenario is looming ever closer. Right now I attract "tin-foil hat" derision for taking this threat seriously, but sooner than we think, it could be too late. (Of course, by then, our "trusted" computers won't even let us read such subversive material as Stallman's "right to read" essay). Please, somebody, point me in the right direction to be able to do something effective about this threat. There must be some group I can support that actually has more than a snowball's chance in hell of averting this disaster.
