European DMCA

[Alistair Davidson]

Klaus Schilling wrote:
> 
> João Miguel Neves writes:
>  > On 30 Jul 2001 20:14:31 +0200, Simo Sorce wrote:
>  > > > The problem is that, in practive it makes reverse engineering a crime.
>  > >
>  > > Will this imply that decoding protocols that flows over a network will be
>  > > also a crime?
>  >
>  > First, the standard disclaimer, IANAL.
>  > For SMB, as is, I think there's no problem. Now if MS extends the
>  > authentication protocol to make sure you're connecting from workstation
>  > with a valid license, reverse engineering that might put you in jail,
>  > because your work could be considered as "facilitating ... an
>  > infringement of any copyright".
> 
> And what about ICQ? Most clients have been obtained by rev engeineering,
> I believe.

That form of reverse engineering does not 'facilitate the infringement
of copyright.'

The license one would depend, but it's certainly a potential problem.

--
Alistair Davidson