p2pnet.net News:- MS Reader DRM issues solved… permanently

That’s the intriguing headline in post from Michael Gartenberg on the Jupiter Research analysts’ blog, and it goes on:

“While I’m still waiting for MSFT support to help me get back into the content I purchased for MS Reader (so far two emails and a rather fun 45 minute session with MS Tech support by phone, which is totally clueless about Reader. I was sent to Office support, Windows Activation and even though I kept telling them that there’s no product activation code for Windows, my words fell on deaf ears). I finally took matters into my own hands.

“With a little help from a lovely free program called Amber LIT conversion, I was able to take all my MSFT .lit files and convert them to unprotected .PDF files for Tablet viewing and Word files that converted easily to eReader format. Took about a minute for each book. The program works with protected .LIT files but needs to be run on a machine with an activated and valid MS Reader. Since my old computer did have Reader on it, the process was a snap.

“This doesn’t excuse MSFT. While DRM is a necessary evil, the notion of not being able to de-activate an older machine with a limited number of installs is user hostile at worst. Good case study for firms on HOW NOT TO IMPLEMENT DRM solutions."

However, "Despite the fact that the Gartenberg ran his program on files he legitimately purchased and the program requires an activated and valid MS Reader to run, this still sounds like a blatant violation of the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA, 17 USC 1201," says Earnest Miller on Corante.

And, “It appears as if Gartenberg BROKE THE LAW!

“If we were to ask Jack Valenti, I’m sure he would say that Gartenberg is a THIEF!"

True! And Valenti’s successor, Laughing Dan Glickman, will now no doubt set the MPAA, Hollywood’s latest answer to the Keystone Cops, on them.

“The company that made and distributes the software Gartenberg used appear to be a BUNCH OF DISGUSTING HACKER PIRATES!" declares Miller, adding:

“Or, perhaps, this is a good case study for governments on HOW NOT TO IMPLEMENT ANTI-CIRCUMVENTION laws.”

Something you think we should know? tips[at]p2pnet.net

See:-
Corante – DRM Proponent Fed Up With DRM – Violates DMCA, June 21, 2005
Keystone Cops – MPAA accused of slander, p2pnet, June 22, 2005

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 23rd, 2005 at 1:26 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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