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List:       openoffice-users
Subject:    Re: Re: How do I open MS Office password protected files with OpenOffice.org?
From:       rbe <rbe () flash ! net>
Date:       2004-06-02 15:54:04
Message-ID: c9kt6s$51r$1 () sea ! gmane ! org
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Immanuel CRC Office wrote:

> Daniel Carrera wrote:
> 
>> Andy Davidson wrote:
>> 
>>> Let's not get too paranoid.  Please note that the Copyright Office
>>> pulled the teeth of that argument, saying that
>>>     "the DMCA does not prohibit reverse engineering if the intent is
>>>      to make the duplicated product work with a separate computer
>>>      program. SCC had requested a ruling on possible exemptions to
>>>      the DMCA that would allow them to produce their chips, and the
>>>      Copyright Office dismissed those requests after ruling the DMCA
>>>      had always protected SCC's type of reverse engineering."
>> 
>> 
>> I've read this story.  Look at it more carefully.
>> 
>> The DMCA *does* currently prohibit reverse engineering.  They are
>> proposing a *change* to create an exception for the purpose of
>> interoperability.  This change was proposed as a consequence of the
>> kinds of problems I just described.  Last time I checked (a couple of
>> weeks ago I think) this had not yet been implemented.  But the point
>> remains the same, the DMCA has already been used to prevent
>> interoperability.  This is precisely what motivated the proposal.
>> 
>>> In regard to opening a "copy-protected" file that I own, it is not
>>> circumvention for me to open it in any program I choose.  It is MY
>>> file; no "circumvention" is involved.
>> 
>> 
>> The same thing could be said if you replace the word "file" by the
>> word
>> "printer".  The DMCA has already been used to prevent you from using
>> alternative cartriges on your Lexmark printer.
>> 
>> Cheers,
> 
> On two sites that I found which offer password cracking ability, this
> was their "legal" paragraph:
> 
> Password recovery Programs - Legality
> 
> Password recovery programs offered on this Site are designed for legal
> purposes and they are legal as long as you use them for legal
> purposes. Thus, you can use ElcomSoft products provided that you are
> the legal owner of all files or data you are going to recover through
> the use of our software or have the right or permission from the
> legitimate owner to perform these acts. Any illegal use of our
> software will be solely your responsibility.
> 
> Accordingly, you affirm that you have the legal right to access all
> data, information and files that have been hidden.
> 
> You further attest that the recovered data, passwords and/or files
> will not be used for any illegal purpose. Be aware that illicit
> password recovery and the data decryption of unauthorized or otherwise
> illegally obtained files may constitute theft or another wrongful
> action and may result in your civil and/or criminal prosecution.
> http://www.crackpassword.com/about/legal/terms.php
> 
> MICROSOFT ENGINEERS CANNOT ASSIST, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, IN THE
> BREAKING OF PASSWORDS APPLIED TO FILES AND FEATURES WITHIN MICROSOFT
> PROGRAMS. It is technically not possible for Microsoft engineers to
> break the password on a password-protected file or feature within a
> Microsoft program. The password-protection systems built into
> Microsoft programs are designed to be unbreakable; there would be no
> point in including a password-protection system that could be broken.
> [..] However, you may be able to obtain assistance from a third-party
> password breaker.
> http://www.elcomsoft.com/aoxppr.html
> 
> So, I think that OpenOffice.org should be able to - and this is
> definitely something where the standard algorithm can be shared so you
> can use your password to open regardless of the program (I know, I
> know, barking at the wrong company) - it shouldn't be covered under
> DMCA. We are trying to "crack" it, but just if we know the password,
> to enter it and be validated. In fact, this would seems to less
> contravene DMCA than the "password cracking programs" which just try
> to use common words and test them using a script - this is real
> cracking.
> 
> (I have a feeling my thoughts are not clear - sorry about this).

DMCA, like a lot of recent legislation is poorly thought out and 
over-broadly written.  A recent act in the California legislature 
(fortunately not passed) would have outlawed ISP's and all email, 
simply because it was so stupidly drafted.

-- 
Robert Black Eagle


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