Then it hit me.  I live in Holland. US laws don't apply. We make computers here too.  [Adam Curry: Adam Curry's Weblog]

Hey, the weather in Holland is much nicer than Texas, isn't it? This is part of the USG's attempt to destroy next gen tech dev in the US. Between bans on cloning and potential mandatory DRM, we are poised to kill the golden goose. [John Robb's Radio Weblog]

The John Gilmore document is a must-read.  A cogent argument against the copy-protection "consensus" being forced down US citizens' throats right now.  Unfortunately, Adam's reply doesn't make me feel any better.  Dutch computer manufacturers buy parts from the same companies that sell parts to American computer manufacturers.  The manufacture of those parts, and the market they're sold into, will be influenced by this "consensus."

9:54:00 AM   

Apple: Play music at your own risk. Copy-protected audio discs can crash your Mac--but don't expect the computer maker to pick up the cost of repairs. [CNET News.com]

Last year Apple Computer, a computer and consumer electronics manufacturer, began a pitched battle against the entertainment industry.  It's getting bloody.

Guess who'll win.  Here's a hint.  You can never remove functionality from a product once it's been introduced.

9:31:59 AM   

News.Com: "Time Warner Cable's upcoming set-top boxes will not include ad-skipping features but may carry technology designed to protect copyrights for TV programming."  [Scripting News]

I tried to post this yesterday, but the link was broken.  It works now, so I'm posting it.

AOL releases information about it's upcoming cable set-top boxes.  The good news: they have PVR functionality.  The bad news: they don't include the features that make PVRs most useful.  (AOL is a part of the suit against ReplayTV manufacturer SonicBlue.)

Even worse: they're "looking at" including copy-protection technology.  Great idea!  You wouldn't actually want to give your customers what they want.  This is bad news for owners of AOL/TW stock.

9:27:45 AM