New York Linux Users Demonstrate at DVD Trial
7/17/00
The trial MPAA vs. 2600 begins
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It could not have been better timing. With the completion of the H2K.com conference this past
weekend, hackers from around the world joined members of 2600 and The New York Linux
Users Group to converge in front of the
United States Court House in New York City in a show of support for 2600 Magazine
on the first day of the the federal trial, MPAA vs 2600.
A wall of protest
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Eric Corley, who also goes by the name Emmanuel Goldstein (from the George Orwell novel
1984) is the publisher of 2600, a Website dedicated to hacker news and information.
The Motion Picture Association of America, the big lobbyist group that represents
the major Hollywood movie studios including Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony and Warner Brothers,
targeted Corley after he began publicizing the source code for DeCSS (Decode Content Scrambling
System), a free software utility that allows users to bypass encryption codes and copy DVDs onto
their computers.
DeCSS - Jon Johansen wrote this code to play DVD movies on his Linux computer.
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Wearing t-shirts bearing DeCSS on the back, protestors waved posters,
handed out flyers,
and shouted "Save Free Speech" in unison while Martin Garbus, attorney for the defense, worked
the courtroom inside.
Demonstrators on active duty
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On behalf of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Garbus filed a motion in the morning to
disqualify Judge Lewis Kaplan from presiding over the trial after discovery revealed that
he advised Time Warner on DVD matters while in private practice. At another point
during his private career, Kaplan had accused Garbus of professional misconduct and cautioned
a co-worker against taking a position in Garbus' law firm. With his laptop open in front of
him, the Judge denied the motion
without comment and the day progressed.
Journalists galore
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Outside the courthouse, broadcast and online journalists from CNN, MSNBC, Reuters, ZDNet, Wired,
The Salon,
and two documentary film crews were on hand to cover the gathering of people who formed a wall
of protest.
Richard Stallman talks to CNN
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Richard Stallman, creator of the General Public License and free
software luminary, answered questions as more reporters and protestors arrived.
Frank DeLange unceasingy played guitar throughout the day and his original composition "MPAA,"
came off like a modern day rebel song.
The New York Police Dept also did a great job
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The New York Police Department did a great job today. Permits had been obtained and rules were
honored, so the demonstration maintained a peaceful (although at times loud) cadence.
Color-coded barricades were arranged for the press and the demonstrators.
Congressman Nadler learns about DVD, or lack thereof, for Linux
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Congressman Gerald Nadler of Brooklyn passed by and was puzzled. "How can this be
happening?" he expressed in alarm as Nyluggers explained how copyright priviledges
were being extended to prevent the manufacture of DVD-playing Linux computers.
Jon Johansen talks to Ruben Safir
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The trial was paused for lunch and as people streamed into the sunlight, they
were greeted by the throng. This afforded the chance for both sides to share information about
what was happening. Jon Johansen, the 16 year old Norwegian who wrote DeCSS in order to play a
DVD movie on his Linux computer
(and was subsequently arrested for it) was on hand for some
short interviews with the press.
Billy Donahue talking with Reuters
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After lunch, the trial resumed with testimony by Michael Shamous, a computer science professor
at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh who claimed that his research shows that
new technology increases the speed at which copying can occur and that DeCSS use is on the
rise. Under cross examination, Martin Garbus proceeded to destroy this witness on the stand and
bring his
credibility into doubt. Shamous explained that he was getting paid $400 per hour and the
MPAA was going to pay him $30,000 for his testimony in this case. Under the directed
questioning of Mr. Garbus, this "expert" witness actually admitted that he obeyed a directive
from the MPAA to remove a reference from his study - a relevant article from the New York Times
that mentioned free speech. "Why did they ask you to do that?" asked Garbus. "Because the MPAA
didn't want to cloud the case with First ammendment issues" replied Shamous. This comment
resulted in a combination of chuckling and buckling from all sides of the courtroom. After more
questions, Garbus brought out the fact that Shamous did not have any
information that anyone other than himself and his assistant had ever used code from 2600.com to
create a DVD copy.
Jim Gleason and Emmanuel Goldstein
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All in all, it was a good day with a great number of demonstrators and journalists
who raised awareness and helped to fight the battle for free speech and fair use. Special thanks
to Billy Donahue who coordinated the event and teamed up NYLUG and EFF resources. As well, a
special thanks goes out to Ruben Safir and all those who helped to obtain
permits and make the day a successful one.
July 17, 2000 Press Release
- Jim Gleason, President, New York Linux Users Group
Links:
Harvard's Open Law OpenDVD site.
Transcripts, mailing lists, and comprehensive list of all press coverage.
Electronic Frontier Foundation
DVD Updates
2600.org
NYLUG.org Press Release
LXNY press release
New Yorkers for Fair Use press release
Protest Coverage:
ZDNet News: DeCSS in Court, DVDs can be Cracked
Salon.com:
Code on trial
New York Newsday:
Curtain Rises on Movie-Hacker Trial "Sleepless," "Matrix" featured attractions
New York Law Journal: Hacker Threat
Decried at DVD Trial
Additional Photos
Billy Donahue's photos
Declan McCullagh from Wired
News
More photos from Declan McCullagh
Articles
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