New Technology Law

[JohnMag4u]

What is the name of your state? PA

This is a question about a new federal law which took effect on Nov. 27 2006 in reference to "Abandonware". A description of the law can be found here: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/23/us-copyright-office-grants-abandonware-rights/

This expert is what my question pertains to:
"Here's something abandonware enthusiasts can be thankful for: the Library of Congress yesterday approved six exemptions to US copyright. The one most pertinent to gamers is that, for archival purposes, copy protection on software no longer being sold or supported by its copyright holder can be cracked."

My question is, does this permit people to download and install "cracked" or "hacked" versions of Microsoft Windows 98 which has not been sold in 6 years and is no longer supported by Microsoft since July 11, 2006? If so, does this apply to all software which is no longer supported or sold? Furthermore, can someone collect "Abandonware" to package and sell them?

Thanks!

 

[shortbus]

The law says that you can circumvent any copy-protection restrictions on abandoned software without penalty. But it doesn't change any of the underlying copyright protection. Once the software is unlocked, if you don't own a legal copy, you can't make a copy for yourself, redistribute it, etc.

It's actually not an exemption to copyright at all, it's an exemption to the DMCA.