Status of Cryptography Research in implementation of the EUCD

[Owen Lewis]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukcrypto-admin@chiark.greenend.org.uk
> [mailto:ukcrypto-admin@chiark.greenend.org.uk]On Behalf Of Neil McEvoy
> Sent: 15 August 2002 10:52
> To: ukcrypto@chiark.greenend.org.uk
> Subject: Re: Status of Cryptography Research in implementation of the
> EUCD
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Owen Lewis" <oml@sysrx.uk.com>
> >
> >
> > - If a researcher publishes a method to breach copyright the only good
> that
> > is likely served is that of thieves and there is a palpable risk of harm
> to
> > all the holders of copyright protected by that method as well as to the
> > owner of the method itself.
> >
> >
>
> In the case that the method is already known to thieves, or
> likely to become
> so,

In which case the 'research' is either non-existent or trivial.

No. We are discussing the application of cutting-edge expertise.

.....then users and potential users of the copy protection scheme are
> protected from undue reliance on a flawed technique. For me, the
> case is not
> so clear as to restrict anyone's right to free speech.

'Free speech' is not ever untrammelled. With knowledge comes responsibility
and with responsibility free speech is curbed not by the law but by social
and moral obligation. Where any sense of obligation fails, then law is
required. I don't suppose that any practice free speech much beyond the age
of four, which is when most of us begin to learn when to open our mouths and
when it is better to keep them closed. Most of us learn this because we come
to recognise we do better in this way.

Owen