A group of enterprising TI calculator programmers have taken it upon themselves to factor the 512-bit RSA keys used by TI to allow applications (and OS updates) to run on TI calculators. (For those of you who aren’t cryptographers: basically it lets TI decide what can run on the calculator and what can’t.)
In response, Texas Instruments issued a DMCA takedown notice saying that they can’t post those keys, because the keys constitute an unlawful circumvention device. It’s nonsense for several reasons, including the fact that the keys don’t qualify for DMCA protection, but the biggest point to be made is that publicizing the keys in no way effects the profitability of TI’s calculators, except that it increases their value by allowing a greater selection of applications. Remember, the keys don’t do anyone any good unless you already own a TI calculator, in which case they’ve already got your money!
In other words, trying to hide the keys is just a stupid waste of money. They can’t hide the keys once they’re published, no matter how many takedown notices they issue, and bothering to issue them means they’re paying some lawyer (or team of lawyers) to draft letters, track down the proper people, and send them off.
For anyone interested, you can download my copy of the keys here. (It’s a zip file containing the factors involved in the RSA signing key for each calculator.)
I doubt TI will ever contact me over this, but just in case, allow me to state for the record: TI, if you send me a DMCA takedown notice, I’ll be filing a counter-notice stating that you’re willfully misrepresenting the facts in your DMCA claim. There’s a hefty fine for that.