DRM Helmet

prostoalex writes "In his weblog on O'Reilly Network Gordon Mohr suggests the ultimate solution for the music and movie industry to plug that analog hole. The solution, of course, is a helmet with built-in Digital Rights Management system that would automatically "fog up" any time you lay your eyes on something that you haven't bought license for."

Zaphod spins in Douglas' grave

[DrSkwid]

hhgttg

Lameness filter encountered. Post aborted!
Reason: Don't use so many caps. It's like YELLING.

er wtf.

They'd never go for this

[Henry V .009]

This isn't real. The entertainment industry would never go for something like this in a million years. This must be some kind of joke.

Their version would put your eyes out with red-hot pokers.

Girls?

[mr. phantastik]

Oh god..Not only do I have to smooth talk a girl into bed, but now I have to smooth talk her into selling me her liscence just so I can see what I'm doing..great.

"See No Evil, Hear No Evil Act"

[flatlineloc]

Why do this give me the image of a group of senators with money stuffed into their pockets as anthropomorphized monkeys doing the see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil faces?

With valenti as the zoo keeper.

Re:Plugging the analog hole

[alienmole]

When I click on that link, my DRM helmet immediately fogs up. Could you please sell me a license??

for gods sake!!!!

[kevin lyda]

patent this!

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION

[Subcarrier]

The solution, of course, is a helmet with built-in Digital Rights Management system that would automatically "fog up" any time you lay your eyes on something that you haven't bought license for.

This product is incompatible with car audio systems. Do NOT use while driving.

DRM helmets are outdated.

[Jacco de Leeuw]

Neurodongles [ibiblio.org] are where the action is!

Doesn't go far enough

[JordanH]

Really, we need a helmet with brain probes that detect if licensed media is being consumed and debits your account on a metered basis.

At the end of the consumption period, the probes could zap the memory of the experience from your mind to prevent illegal retention of copyrighted works.

Whoops, better not give *AA any ideas.

Unworkable as Designed

[Bob9113]

This device is using default accept. Anyone who knows anything about security knows that default deny is the only way to be sure. If he really wants this helmet to ensure that the market continues to provide the economic incentive necessary for a healthy culture manufacturing industry, he'll have to modify it slightly. It should remain fogged and silenced unless it can verify that all photons and sound waves within visible and audible range have been licensed by the user.

why stop at prevention?

[trb]

The DRM helmet could do much better than simply fogging up when a user tries to access unlicensed media. Prevention is a start. But how about punishment?

Think of the Terrorist Uses!

[The Raven]

With a device like this, if ubiquitous enough, malicious individuals could cause massive harm! Imagine projecting a ripped off copy of Episode 3 onto a plane runway... or taping playboy centerfolds next to stop signs and traffic lights. The carnage! The humanity!

Oh, god...

[Snafoo]

I'm such a geek. I read the headline and thought, 'Kick ass! With the new Radeon 8500 drivers, a DRM-enabled helmet could really make XF86 4 a very cool gaming environment!

Helmet doesn't have all features RIAA/MPAA require

[imnoteddy]

In addition to fogging up, it should send a message to the FBI that this person is trying to circumvent the DMCA (or any futurer laws) so the person can be arrested, and another message to the copyright holder so they'll know who to sue for trying to use use material without a license.

Re:Girls?

[liquidsin]

What if she's GPLed? Oh, you probably wouldn't want her anyways then...

Re:Doesn't go far enough

[Hydro-X]

Absolutely. We don't want a device this powerful falling into the hands of those Anonymous Alcoholics.

Re:You'll take one WITH commercials -- and like it

[zaffir]

Actually, the ??AA would buy a few more congresscritters and get some legislation passed that FORCES the tech industry to develop this brand of DRM.