[mythtv-users] Unlocking Technologies Act

Raymond Wagner raymond at wagnerrp.com
Fri May 10 16:51:55 UTC 2013


From: Joseph Fry
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 10:54 AM
>>>
>>> I'm not suggesting that some 3rd party create the firmware...  I am
>>> saying that the good folks at Silicon Dust could legally change the
>>> firmware to ignore those flags; after all "the bill would permit the
>>> use AND SALE of tools..."
>>
>> That would undoubtedly constitute a breach of contract, and their
>> authentication keys would be revoked.
>
> Again, I am not suggesting anyone do anything stupid.  I am talking about
> above the board, or at least well informed change.  Essentially, this bill
> says that consumers and commercial hardware/software, are allowed to
> circumvent copy protection measures to allow fair use.  Now it doesn't say
> that content creators have to make it easy... but it also clearly
indicates
> that they cannot go after the makers of the device/software.
>
> So upon a review of any contracts or certifications, I wonder if they
could
> implement it without risking their ability to continue to market
> products... or at very least, lobby to have those contracts/certifications
> changed to allow use under this law.

They still can't simply disable the DRM. SiliconDust can only interface with
CableCard systems because they have a private decryption key. They were only
given that key because they agreed in a contract to uphold the DRM. If they
release a firmware that bypasses the DRM, they are in breach, and their key
gets revoked.

In order to break DRM, you must either have a reliable way to extract keys
from an independent implementation, or a way to generate new, valid keys on
your own.



More information about the mythtv-users mailing list