You'd think those who like free software would want to encourage a company that's giving away free hardware. It's clear that the Linux users are right when they say Digital Convergence is stretching far beyond any established law with its intellectual property claims. And they are right to feel that a very fundamental principle for them is at stake if hardware vendors can sic lawyers on anyone writing the wrong type of software for their devices. The problem here is how this case is being resolved. Important public policies are at stake, but no one will get his or her day in court.
Lawyers writing intimidating letters is nothing new.
But new intellectual property laws are giving well-financed companies a hammer they never had before. Using a standardized watermarking and tracking system, SDMI will keep an eye on what you're listening to and prevent you from transferring any naughty MP3s anywhere the music industry doesn't think they should go. So it should be of little surprise that SDMI's invitation to hackers to chip in and help hasn't piqued the interest of the geek community. Hackers should not, and will not, offer free consulting services to an organization that is using technical means to destroy the customary balance of the interests of copyright holders and music listeners. Marti elaborated on his objections to the challenge in an interview.