From justin@cs.duke.edu Wed Apr 2 10:46:09 2003 Date: 09 Feb 2003 23:13:37 -0500 From: Justin Moore To: dulug@dulug.duke.edu Subject: [Dulug] [Fwd: Re: DRM Project for the Center] Folks, The Duke Center for the Study of the Public Domain is looking for people to provide a technical analysis of various Digital Rights Management systems that are rolling out right now. Any takers? Note that this is a technical analysis, and *NOT* an attempt to circumvent, crack, disable, or reverse engineer DRM systems, so (hopefully, *knocks on wood*) this is not in violation of the dreaded DMCA. To clarify, "cd-based" means a system used to play CDs, or one that is triggered by the insertion of an audio CD into a computer. Ultimately they're looking for a solid, reproducible technical analysis of what various DRM systems will -- and more importantly, will not -- let a person do with digital media they have purchased legally, on a computer they have purchased legally, and on an operating system they have purchased legally. Simply pointing to other compilations of information, such as Fat Chuck's list of corrupt audio CDs, is not valid research, although such sources would provide a good place to start looking for information. An example would be to set up a WinXP, OS X, or Linux box behind a logging firewall, and notice what information the computer transmits when the user inserts an audio CD. Several iterations of this test would examine the amount of information sent out depending on the media player settings (not to mention the default media player selected), and what the user could do, or not do, with various settings. The Center would be willing to reimburse official participants (aka, those who reply to Jennifer Jenkins) for the costs of CDs and (possibly) software used in the test. Feel free to get in touch with me for more technical details, or Jennifer Jenkins at the Law School for more legal-ese or study details. Thanks. -jdm -----Forwarded Message----- From: Jennifer Jenkins To: justin@cs.duke.edu Subject: Re: DRM Project for the Center Date: 07 Feb 2003 18:46:26 -0500 Justin, Below is a draft of the project description we would like to forward to computer scientists who would like to get involved in this project. Please add technical details as you feel necessary, I thought you'd be better equipt to do that. In particular, if there is a better appellation for "CD-based" systems that describes what we're looking for, can you please substitute that in the description (and let me know what it is so I can change it in our materials)? I'm really excited about this project, thanks so much for getting involved and for your time. See you, Jennifer -- Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems are increasingly used in order to control uses of digital content. Such systems give content providers a powerful tool to prevent unauthorized copying or simply to restrict particular uses by purchasers in order to maintain a particular business model. However, concerns have been raised that current DRM systems pose serious threats to consumer privacy, free expression, and innovation. For example, DRM systems may threaten consumer privacy by profiling consumer preferences and storing identifying information. In addition, DRM systems may stifle expression and innovation by preventing uses that would otherwise be privileged under copyright law's fair use and first sale doctrines. The controversies surrounding DRM have only increased as Congress considers laws that would mandate certain forms of DRM in digital media devices. The Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke Law School (CSPD) is doing a research project in association with the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) to determine whether available DRM systems are being used in ways that harm consumer interests and violate statutory protections. CSPD is interested in working with computer scientists who would research available DRM systems in adequate detail to figure out whether and how they are invasive. For example, we would like to know whether there are CD-based systems in play that profile and track consumers without giving them notice of this. This research will be invaluable in helping us to understand the legal implications of current DRM technologies. We look forward to working with you, and thank you for your collaboration. -- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0129 Email: justin@cs.duke.edu Web: http://www.cs.duke.edu/~justin/ _______________________________________________ Dulug mailing list Dulug@dulug.duke.edu http://lists.dulug.duke.edu/mailman/listinfo/dulug