CHAPTER 15Legal

In an “Introducton” the legal implications and considerations of reverse engineering and cracking were explored at a high level. This section provides a more in-depth discussion of relevant U.S. laws and their impacts and interpretations.

U.S. Laws Affecting Reverse Engineering

Laws regarding copyrights, hacking, etc., vary based on jurisdiction. This section covers some applicable laws in the United States. If you are located elsewhere, check your local laws and restrictions.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act

Digital rights management (DRM) is a solution designed to protect intellectual property. DRM solutions can track and control protected content after it reaches the marketplace.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was passed by Congress in 1998. It brought the United States into compliance with international copyright agreements.

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) was enacted in 1984. It is a federal anti-hacking statute that prohibits unauthorized access to computers and networks.

Lawmakers wrote the law so poorly that creative prosecutors have been abusing it ever since. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to protect security researchers from ...

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