Jack Valenti Wants Your Router!

[R0BB23]

Jack Valenti Wants Your Router

The Motion Picture Association of America is evidently working to outlaw any device or technology that obscures the IP addresses of Net users. Why? Hang on.

For some time now, the MPAA has waved the Digital Millenium Copyright Act at Net service providers, warning them that failure to stop customers from trading copyrighted material puts them in violation of law. Some providers have, in turn, warned heavy files swappers to knock it off, often citing language in terms-of-service agreements prohibiting file servers on residential accounts.

But ISPs have also told the MPAA that they cannot always know who might be swapping stuff. Anyone who runs a router or a good piece of firewall software on their broadband connection can stop the ISP from knowing what they are up to. So in steps the MPAA to say, "We can fix that."

Valenti's posse has hit state capitals with draft language for bills which would ban any technology that keeps what you do hidden from ISPs. Princeton University scholar Edward Felten says the language is so broad even encrypted email would be banned. Felten has found "super DMCA" efforts afoot in Texas, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alaska, Tennessee, and Colorado.

If you live in one of those states, your computer is about to be opened up for inspection by Hollywood fatcats. That they decided to try to get away with it while public attention is focused elsewhere tells you just how serious they are.

BTW, Felten's Freedom to Tinker blog is a great stop for anyone who cares to retain some say in how they use technology.

Posted by Jeff A. Taylor at March 27, 2003 12:44 PM

Original source

[mookydooky]

I don't like it. I'm completely for the protection of intellectual property, but this is overboard.

[Daniel ~]

What a hunk of burning junk!! We best hope that there are some very big players invested in routers! I think they will have a uphill battle as they really are full of it.

But then again...some AMAZING legislation has been passed of late!

[Daniel ~]

You just made front page ROBB23!!

http://www.aoaforums.com/

[Áedán]

Originally posted by R0BB23
Jack Valenti Wants Your Router

The Motion Picture Association of America is evidently working to outlaw any device or technology that obscures the IP addresses of Net users. Why? Hang on.

Oh yes, I want to see this! I really wanna see this! This would make me so happy.

Let me put it this way - How many companies/banks/financial institutions use address translation in order to manage their networks? Couple this with the use of firewalls in order to protect the machines behind them, and this could be really interesting.

I can really see companies like Citibank removing all address translation and firewalls from all their systems in order to keep the MPAA happy. Maybe not.

We're already running low on IP addresses in the IPv4 address ranges (That's what most ppl call IP addresses). IPv6 includes encryption as a standard part, and hence wouldn't be allowable under the MPAA's ideas. Suddenly requiring exposing of all those IP addresses would probably deplete the IP address pool!

Áedán

[R0BB23]

Ahaha

Im trying to remember this good quote that would fit here perfectly.

To sum it up, it basicly said that its the governments job to defend the peoples rights but not at the expense of the peoples freedom.

It said it a lot better than i can, but thats basicly what it was.

[R0BB23]

Originally posted by Áedán


Oh yes, I want to see this! I really wanna see this! This would make me so happy.

Let me put it this way - How many companies/banks/financial institutions use address translation in order to manage their networks? Couple this with the use of firewalls in order to protect the machines behind them, and this could be really interesting.

I can really see companies like Citibank removing all address translation and firewalls from all their systems in order to keep the MPAA happy. Maybe not.

We're already running low on IP addresses in the IPv4 address ranges (That's what most ppl call IP addresses). IPv6 includes encryption as a standard part, and hence wouldn't be allowable under the MPAA's ideas. Suddenly requiring exposing of all those IP addresses would probably deplete the IP address pool!

Áedán

Yeah in its current form its probably not going to pass, but in a lesser form it might have a chance. Such as only businesses can buy routers and use firewalls, etc.

[cloasters]

Aww, that Jackie is a sweetheart. He can have my obsolete Cisco. For $150. I paid that, so can he. Don't get me started about the rape of The Bill Of Rights. Pay taxes and die. Oopsie, that's die and pay taxes.

[R0BB23]

Nah, its pay taxes, die, pay taxes.

[BigRed]

Originally posted by R0BB23
Nah, its pay taxes, die, pay taxes.

Death tax!

[Superman]

Some would say that "the government that governs best, governs least..."

I personally disagree, but I figured I'd throw it out there

[Áedán]

Originally posted by R0BB23


Yeah in its current form its probably not going to pass, but in a lesser form it might have a chance. Such as only businesses can buy routers and use firewalls, etc.

Well, actually, it'd still have to be that an individual could buy a router - a router doesn't mean IP addresses behind it are hidden.

Besides, how difficult is it to start up a "business" in order to obtain such equipment?

Áedán

[R0BB23]

Originally posted by Áedán


Well, actually, it'd still have to be that an individual could buy a router - a router doesn't mean IP addresses behind it are hidden.

Besides, how difficult is it to start up a "business" in order to obtain such equipment?

Áedán

That was just an example of how they could change it to please certain people, it doesnt mean thats what there going to do. Anyways no one says all the governments laws have to make sense.

There are plenty of dumblaws out there.

[Daniel ~]

Some times just having an intention is enough to get you damned!

[timbob2469]

I just read about this from a different source PCWORLD.COM The website for the magazine of the same name. If you go to their site and use the function USE.FIND.PCWORLD.COM button and put in the #34019 you will find a great in depth article of what the future might hold. To sum it up , Verizon dsl might have to release the name of the person who downloaded 600 songs so that they can be investigated. I know people who have probably twice that amount , and counting. Very scary stuff.
bob

[Darkest]

[i]I know people who have probably twice that amount , and counting. Very scary stuff.
bob [/b]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! :P

[R0BB23]

Freedom To Tinker is reporting that its already been passed in michigan and will go in effect on the 31st, aka monday.