Another reason why the DCMA is a stupid law

This article by Peter Rojas discusses some new and potentially ruinous ideas being implemented by all sorts of companies to take advantage of the provisions of the DCMA to stifle competition and lock their customers into their products alone:

Printer makers, garage-door-opener companies, and electronics manufacturers are busy installing useless "handshake" code as an interface between the replaceable, disposable product (ink cartridge, remote control, battery) and the more durable host device. Soon we will see automobile companies limit the replacement market for batteries, filters, and tires by installing useless code or contractual restrictions on those who lease.

By using computer code as an "access control device," they can invoke the power of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act to stifle competition from generic competitors.

The tethering of secondary goods within the extra-copyright industries is yet another piece of evidence that the DMCA is among the stupidest laws every passed. It is by all measures a complete failure that has retarded innovation and done nothing to protect copyright holders. And it has punished consumers.

Hat tip to Reason Hit and Run for the link.