Re: [OT] DMCA loop hole

[Helge Hafting]

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!

They'd still be able to scan for it though - detecting the encrypted
string or the decryption algorithm.  

What if I copyright & encrypt a DeCSS program?  Nobody can sue
because they don't have permission to decrypt, and therefore
cannot prove that it actually _is_ a decss algorithm? :-)

Helge Hafting