The Library of Congress doesn't usually make news. I don't usually yell "Yes!" repeatedly after reading a news story. Especially one about the Library of Congress.
On July 23rd, the LOC made it legal to circumnavigate technological restrictions on Motion picture DVDs, wireless handsets, video games, computer programs, and e-books.
What it all means:
Breaking CSS encryption on DVDs is allowed if the individual is using the content to create a documentary film, a non-commercial video, an educational compilation, or criticism.
"Jailbreaking" a smart phone is allowed if the user wants to enable a lawfully obtained application. It is also allowed if a user wants to connect their smart phone to a different wireless network.
Videogame DRM can be bypassed if the user wants to perform security testing.
Computer program DRM can be bypassed if access is being restricted by an obsolete "dongle". A dongle is a piece of hardware that restricts usage for a piece of computer software. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle)
E-book access controls that prevent read-aloud function can be bypassed if all other editions have similar access controls.
Two examples of CSS breaking that are no longer illegal:
During a recent film studies class, the teacher informed us that watching the YouTube video of "Schwarzfahrer" in class was technically illegal. Since she had no other way to obtain the film, we watched the YouTube version.
During another film studies class, I wanted to perform a shot by shot analysis of a scene from Casablanca. To obtain the screenshots for my analysis, I had to bypass the CSS encryption on my Casablanca DVD.
What this means for the future of cinema:
I was yelling "Yes!" repeatedly because filmmakers like Craig Baldwin cannot be criminalized for making "found footage" movies. I took one of Mr. Baldwin's workshops in 2008 and I learned a great deal. I learned more about culture jamming and image appropriation when I watched "Sonic Outlaws", his documentary about Negativland.
Schwarzfahrer
Craig Baldwin on image appropriation
Some of the Phil Patiris television mashups that appear in the "Sonic Outlaws" DVD extras
Sonic Outlaws Trailer
0 comments:
Post a Comment