Challenge to David Wagner on TCPA

[Eric Murray]

On Thu, Aug 01, 2002 at 02:33:43PM -0700, James A. Donald wrote:

> According to Microsoft, the end user can turn the palladium 
> hardware off, and the computer will still boot.  As long as that 
> is true, it is an end user option and no one can object.
> 
> But this is not what the content providers want.  They want that 
> if you disable the Fritz chip, the computer does not boot.  What 
> they want is that it shall be illegal to sell a computer capable 
> of booting if the Fritz chip is disabled.

Nope.  They care that the Fritz chip is enabled whenever
their content is played.  There's no need to make it a legal
requirement if the market makes it a practical requirement.
The Linux folks just won't be able to watch the latest
Maria Lopez or Jennifer Carey DVDs.  But who cares about a few
geeks?  Only weirdos install alternative OSs anyhow, they can be
ignored.  Most of them will probably have second systems
with the Fritz chip enabled anyhow.

Eric