Microsoft sues anonymous DRM hacker

[gonzo]

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft Corp. has sued an anonymous computer hacker whose free program allows users to copy digital movies and songs by bypassing a software protection built into the company's Media player.
(MSNBC.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal News.)

The world's biggest software maker charges the hacker known as "Viodentia" has illegally obtained propriety source code to produce the program called FairUse4WM, sparking fears it could enable consumers to illegally copy digital content.

more on DRM 4 Free (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15035700/)

[Hammer]

FairUse4WM. That name cracks me up. Like somehow it's wrong to profit from the Internet and everything should be free for the taking.

"The program's name is a reference to legal rulings in which courts recognize "fair use" as the ability for consumers to copy recordings for personal use. Some consumer advocates argue that the digital media industry is ignoring that right in its attempt to stop illegal duplication."

There is a good reason for that law in cases where you buy a CD for example and want to copy it for your own personal use, considering you paid for it. However, in the case of a website that uses DRM so that their videos only play as long as your membership is active, I can't see how there's anything wrong with that. Your $25 membership means you are 'renting' the videos as long as you're a member, you didn't just buy thousands of dollars worth of videos for $25.