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[Patrick Truchon]

Probably applies to motorcycles also...

http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/27/9622150/dmca-exemption-accessing-car-software

[CrashCash]

Nope. Not permanently.

The problem with this is it only lasts 3 years, and at the end of that, the Librarian of Congress can (and has) revoke it just for the hell of it.

One of those years is eaten up by "initiated no earlier than 12 months after the effective date of this regulation"

For example, they exempted phone unlocking, so you could legally unlock your cellphone, but that has expired and phones purchased after January 2013 can only be unlocked with the carrier's permission.

FYI, "The Verge" is relatively clueless... they're the "Daily Mail" of the tech world.

[Patrick Truchon]

You're right.  This was just one battle.  The war is far from over... 

Check out the EFF press release (the group that fought for this) for a better source than the Verge:
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-wins-petition-inspect-and-modify-car-software

Today’s ruling is a victory for users, artists, and researchers.  However, the laborious process required to remove a legal cloud over clear fair uses highlights the need for fundamental reforms.

“It’s absurd that we have to spend so much time, every three years, filing and defending these petitions to the copyright office."

It is absurd, but it's better to have them fight and win some of those battles every few years than have no one to watch our back.  I think it's still good news...  Until next time.

[CrashCash]

Oh yeah it's great news, as it sets a nice precedent to point to in future fights. I've just seen too many people go "yay! we won! it's over" like with Son-of-CISPA http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/28/senate_passes_cisa/ coming back to haunt us.

[Patrick Truchon]

I just listened to an excellent episode of CBC Spark related to this, and I asked Zero if:

@ptruchon:
.@ZeroMC Do you encourage tinkering or stifle enduser innovation? http://ptruchon.pagekite.me/wiki/blog/2015-11-01/drm_and_stuff

Where do you think they would fit on the spectrum between John Deere and AGCO ?