DCMA: You must use Ford Gas in Ford Cars or Else We Repo The Car

John Doe #N

27 Jun 2001 27 Jun '01

8 p.m.

Or does the DCMA make my decrypting a DVD (which I own) using unauthorized software (i.e. not part of the consortium) illegal, period?

When someone sells you something (e.g., a phonograph, or phonograph recording) they can claim that the warrantee is void [1] if you use other than *their* parts (phonograph needles, licensed phonographs), but they cannot tell the govt that they are harmed by your use of unapproved gear. The DCMA folks need to understand this. Badly. [1] An OEM may not be always be able to void a warrantee for objectively bogus reasons, e.g., a car manufacturer probably couldn't get away with dropping a drive-train warrantee because you used generic oil that fullfilled published specs.

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iang＠abraham.cs.berkeley.edu

27 Jun 27 Jun

9:32 p.m.

In article <3B3A6926.89042516@army-of-one.org>, John Doe #N wrote:

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[1] An OEM may not be always be able to void a warrantee for objectively bogus reasons, e.g., a car manufacturer probably couldn't get away with dropping a drive-train warrantee because you used generic oil that fullfilled published specs.

Well, manufacturers certainly behave this egregiously today; Ross Anderson's new book (I believe it was) tells of great things like printers checking the model of toner catridge installed, and automatically degrading the image if a 3rd-party cartridge is being used. - Ian

Steve Schear

11:36 p.m.

New subject: DCMA: You must use Ford Gas in Ford Cars or Else We Repo The Car

At 12:30 AM 6/28/2001 +0000, Ian Goldberg wrote:

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In article <3B3A6926.89042516@army-of-one.org>, John Doe #N wrote:

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[1] An OEM may not be always be able to void a warrantee for objectively bogus reasons, e.g., a car manufacturer probably couldn't get away with dropping a drive-train warrantee because you used generic oil that fullfilled published specs.

Well, manufacturers certainly behave this egregiously today; Ross Anderson's new book (I believe it was) tells of great things like printers checking the model of toner catridge installed, and automatically degrading the image if a 3rd-party cartridge is being used.

Its only egregiously if the manufacturer fails to inform the prospective purchaser that performance is only guaranteed with OEM cartridges. Because consumers will base buying decisions on a dollar the sellers have resorted to pricing the printers so that they make their money on the supplies. A valid model to me. (Steve, who retrofit his Epson Color 740 for continuous ink supply and never has to purchase or refill a cartridge on the printer again.) steve

David Honig

28 Jun 28 Jun

12:46 a.m.

New subject: DCMA: You must use Ford Gas in Ford Cars or Else We Repo The Car

At 07:59 PM 6/27/01 -0700, Steve Schear wrote:

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Well, manufacturers certainly behave this egregiously today; Ross Anderson's new book (I believe it was) tells of great things like printers checking the model of toner catridge installed, and automatically degrading the image if a 3rd-party cartridge is being used.

Its only egregiously if the manufacturer fails to inform the prospective purchaser that performance is only guaranteed with OEM cartridges.

Agreed; contract law always applies. In fact, there may well be engineering reasons for doing certain things only with known cartridges. At the same time, when you buy a device, you expect it to interoperate as best it can. The reputation of a company making gear which doesn't, rightfully suffers. Because

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consumers will base buying decisions on a dollar the sellers have resorted to pricing the printers so that they make their money on the supplies.

Tell me about it! Still, that's what the market has evolved. Detroit could make cars that lasted 200,000 miles (reliably; the spec calls for 100,000), but most folks wouldn't pay the extra cost. Sometimes the 'give the razors for free, sell the blades' bizplan is the optimal. A

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valid model to me. (Steve, who retrofit his Epson Color 740 for continuous ink supply and never has to purchase or refill a cartridge on the printer again.)

Um, have you put plans online? dh

Steve Schear

2:42 a.m.

New subject: DCMA: You must use Ford Gas in Ford Cars or Else We Repo The Car

At 09:14 PM 6/27/2001 -0700, David Honig wrote:

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At 07:59 PM 6/27/01 -0700, Steve Schear wrote:

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valid model to me. (Steve, who retrofit his Epson Color 740 for continuous ink supply and never has to purchase or refill a cartridge on the printer again.)

Um, have you put plans online?

No need, you can buy these kits for about $100 (by the time you've used up the initial ink supply included with the kit you've save about $300 by their reckoning) from MIS http://www.inksupply.com. Their Epson Continuous Flow System is one of the best computer-related investments I've ever made. If you're considering a new printer, consider an Epson and a CFS. They also sell archival and quadratone inks (for incredible B&W prints). steve

iang＠abraham.cs.berkeley.edu

27 Jun 27 Jun

10:01 p.m.

In article <3B3A6926.89042516@army-of-one.org>, John Doe #N wrote:

...

[1] An OEM may not be always be able to void a warrantee for objectively bogus reasons, e.g., a car manufacturer probably couldn't get away with dropping a drive-train warrantee because you used generic oil that fullfilled published specs.

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David Honig
iang＠abraham.cs.berkeley.edu
John Doe #N
Steve Schear