You can own an integer too

Remember the fuss over a certain random 128-bit number last week? You too can own your personal 128-bit integer protected by the DMCA. Princeton prof Ed Felten has come up with a great way of giving out legally protected 128-bit numbers to anyone who wants them. If he gives out 2^128 of these, then all 128-bit numbers will be owned and no one will ever be able to use a 128-bit key without breaking the law. Just go here and let it generate one for you.

Here’s how we do it. First, we generate a fresh pseudorandom integer, just for you. Then we use your integer to encrypt a copyrighted haiku, thereby transforming your integer into a circumvention device capable of decrypting the haiku without your permission. We then give you all of our rights to decrypt the haiku using your integer. The DMCA does the rest.

The haiku is copyright 2007 by Edward W. Felten:

We own integers,
Says AACS LA.
You can own one too.

This is my personal DMCA protected integer. Nobody else can use it legally.
6D BD 18 FE 94 10 A4 CC 22 AB 72 E0 7C B3 04 FF

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