daverea.com

I’ve mailed my fair share of “write your reps” letters, but today I sent a handful of letters on a topic I’ve never really gotten both public and political on before: computers. Over the past months (and even years) I’ve been watching the debate about Digital Rights Management and (more recently) “Trusted Computing” and forming my opinions. And they’re not exactly favorable. While I don’t like TC or DRM, I believe the correct way to combat them is for consumers to vote with their wallets when they realize just how restrictive these technologies really are. OK, so the mass of iTunes customers might not wake up to that fact any time soon, but at least for now we can strip that DRM away.

What really worries me, though, is the legislation that gets bounced around when these topics come up. The DMCA already makes it a crime to exercise your fair use rights under US copyright law, but some of the laws being advocated around the whole “Trusted Computing” concept are downright scary. So, I decided the time for letters to senators has arrived, and got out my paper and envelopes. The letter I wrote follows…

Dear [Representative Kuhl | Senator Clinton | Senator Schumer]:

I am writing to inquire as to your position regarding, and express my strong and unalterable disapproval of, technologies known as “Trusted Computing” and (the more general) Digital Rights Management. While specific implementations of these technologies vary greatly, their universal purpose is to restrict the use of computer equipment or digital media content (such as recorded music) to specific cases defined by the equipment manufacturer or content distributor.

As an example, computer hardware designed with Trusted Computing functions could disable key components (such as the computer’s main processor or graphics chipset) if the owner chooses to install an older or alternative operating system. Worse yet, many entities are pushing for the passage of laws that would make bypassing the Trusted Computing functions – effectively, being free to use what you rightfully purchased – a criminal offense.

I am an electrical engineer, an experienced computer user, and an expert user of both proprietary and open-source computer operating systems and software. I strongly believe that, as a free people living in a free market, we as home and business consumers should be guaranteed the right to the full, unrestricted noncriminal use of the technologies we buy and pay for. The same goes for digital media content: I believe that after buying digital music or a motion picture on DVD, the purchaser should not be subject to corporate whim regarding where and on what devices that content may be played.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the situation that Trusted Computing and Digital Rights Management technologies create. The sole purpose for these technologies is to restrict the way that home, business and even government consumers use the computer equipment and content that they have rightfully purchased.

To be clear, I recognize and respect that equipment manufacturers and content distributors may protect their equipment and content in whatever manner they feel suits their business models. However, I believe the consumers of those technologies should be afforded the opportunity to vote with their wallets, and make restricting the usage rights of customers a highly unprofitable proposition.

As Federal legislation requiring the use of Trusted Computing and DRM technologies – severely restricting consumer rights – is currently being advocated by many who seek to monopolize computing freedom, I kindly request that you respond with your position should such legislation be presented for your vote. I hope that you will choose a vote for freedom, and oppose any legislation that would require TC or DRM, or criminalize the use of systems that do not implement these restrictive technologies.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincere Regards,
David Rea