This morning witnessed a significant internet revolt against digg.com for censoring and banning at least 2 users for posting the encryption key for HD DVDs. The publishing of this key gives Linux users the power to copy DRM protected HD DVDs to their computer and is considered a copyright circumvention and thus illegal under the DMCA.
As a fair use activist, this revolt is a two tiered action. The first being a serious blow to companies and studios using DRM to prevent consumers from copying HD DVDs to their computers. DRM signficantly limits personal use of a product purchased by consumers, while trying to curb internet piracy. Unfortunately, this key won't reach into the depth of personal use protection and the inane perversion of the DMCA by major companies against individuals, a only a portion of the internet community and computer users will utilize this key, implemented into an decryption system in the BackupHDDVD software, on their Linux OS. However, many bloggers on the web are now receiving take-down notices through the DMCA, specifically for copyright infringement. Again, this is a perversion of the DMCA as a string of HEX numbers can not be copyrighted.
The second tier to this revolt is against the take-down and banning on digg.com, which apparently violates their Terms of Use. Digg has presented itself as a democratic alternative to the editorial process on internet new sites like slashdot.org. Good on the internet community for using their left click button to do something for fair use and copyright issues.
More on the issue can be read at:
BBC News
CNET
Rud-0.com
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