For those who came in late: for years now, tech and media companies have been trying to use copyright and patent law to restrict your freedom to share information, or modify or explore the devices you buy, or generally do anything that might decrease their profit margin. The two latest examples:
- From Corante.com comes this story about the latest in artifical property rights, the "Box-Wrap" Patent. This is what you infringe when you ignore the terms written on the side of Lexmark printer cartridge box and refill the cartridge even though the company has marked it "single use only.” According to a Ninth Circuit ruling this week in ACRA v. Lexmark, opening the package means you agree to Lexmark’s wishes. It's like you bought an expensive razor, and then are legally forbidden from buying replacement blades for it from another company. I.e., all your ink cartridges are belong to us.
- It seems that Blu-Ray (a potential successor to the DVD format) players may report back, via the Internet, any attempts to modify them, and can be disabled remotely if the machines masters don't like what you're up to. I.e., just because you bought and paid for it and took it home, don't pretent you own it. Do not attempt to adjust your Blu-Ray set. We are controlling transmission.