It's creeping in across Europe - that's what drove CloneCD out!
The European Copyright directive.
Taken to extremes (something which the EU is notorious for) - it could also impact "clone" Inkjet cartridges - though the measures against refilling are also under attack as part of the waste reduction initiative.
Nothing new in P2P etc.- though it may increase the possible scale of penalties, but what IS new is the attack on anything which is used to circumvent protective measures.
The "DVD on Linux" issue relates to CSS (Content Scrambler System), and the fact that "unapproved" players - (and DVD-rippers) get around CSS in ways which may be considered illegal under those laws.
Just look around for info on DECSS - effectively obsolete now, but the basis for more modern DVD tools.
Europe also seems poised to accept software patents - which stifle independent development.
The issue with Internet Explorer and EOLAS, for instance - in reality, IE's PRACTICAL implementation of embedding Java and ActiveX objects owes little or nothing to EOLAS - because they described the PRINCIPLE first - they are now in a position to stuff up the browser experience for millions of users.
I wonder if Microsoft could counter with OLE as "prior art", as this could embed an editable PAINT image in a WRITE document in a VERY early version of windows.
http://www.eolas.com/about_us.html
Getting way off topic, but a "campaign of hostility" aginst EOLAS would not be out of place ... a million INDIVIDUAL users emailing them to ask what it's all about would be rather fitting!
