DeCSS Litigation (Score 1)

As you may be aware, on December 27, 1999 an action was commenced by DVD CCA, which is a trade association and the sole licensing entity for DVD technology. This action was brought to enjoin certain web site owners from alleged "misappropriation of trade secrets" licensed by DVD CCA and for alleged damages incurred. The allegations contained within the complaint are far reaching in that they allege, among other things, misappropriation of trade secrets and copyright infringement. A hearing has been scheduled for December 29, 1999, at the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara to determine if a temporary restraining order should be granted against the named defendants. I am an attorney licensed to practice in New York in addition to being president of PZ Communications, Inc., the owner of The Ultimate DeCSS Resource Site. (http://www.pzcommunications.com/decss/main.htm). Our site has been named in the lawsuit under our Vice-president's personal name (Glenn Rosenblatt) and we are greatly offended by the position that the plaintiff has taken in this matter against not only our site but against all defendants and the repercussions that it will have on the entire Internet. We shall be filing response papers with the court on September 29, 1999, via fax, in opposition to the request for the temporary restraining order. Additionally, I have spoken directly to Jared B. Bobrow, Esq., attorney for the plaintiff regarding the numerous legal issues in addition to being in contact with several attorneys whose area of expertise are Internet law and copyright matters. It is both my opinion and the attorneys with whom I have spoken that there is no merit to these claims. I am concerned that there are serious legal issues at stake, most importantly that of an "open Internet" where there can be the free decimation of information and ideas without unlawful control. It is the intention of PZ Communications, Inc. to set up a legal defense team to fight this and any other related lawsuits and to act as the primary resource site in all matters related to this litigation. As a result we have set up several pages on our site devoted entirely to this issue in addition to a forum for all involved to communicate directly with regard to this issue. In the event that you are interested in contacting me with regard to this issue you may do so at [e-mail] as I am more than willing to discuss all aspects of this matter. Thank you, Peter L. Katz, Esq. President, PZ Communications, Inc. The Ultimate DeCSS Resource Site http://www.pzcommunications.com/decss/main.htm