[WEB4LIB] Locked PDF files

[Karen Coyle]

This is a wonderful example of DRM gone awry. It looks like their PDF 
creation software defaults to dis-allowing all of the functions that are 
covered by the Adobe content protection mechanism. (You can see the 
options in file/document properties/security.) Not only can you not 
print this document, if you highlight an area and try to copy it to the 
clipboard, nothing will go to the clipboard. Are you feeling safer now?

As for getting around it, the software created by the Russian company 
Elcomsoft was designed precisely to break through the Adobe protection 
system (albeit an earlier version). Of course, that's why their 
programmer, Dmitry Sklyarov, was arrested when he came to this country. 
Breaking through the protection system is a violation of the DMCA.

The only thing to do is to notify the creator of his error and ask that 
an unprotected file be posted. It's either that, or try to print the 
whole thing as screen shots. Fortunately, Microsoft will soon be 
providing us with an operating system that will prevent those screen 
shot captures from being used on protected materials. Then we'll REALLY 
be safe.

kc

Andrew Mutch wrote:

>We just ran into a first - a PDF file locked so that it couldn't be printed.
>This PDF was for a class schedule at one of the state universities. I can
>understand locking these files to keep them from being changed but no
>printing? Is this just someone being overzealous with the security or is this
>standard practice for these kinds of documents? Also, does anyone have hints
>of how to work around such settings to allow a patron to print that document?
>
>If you want to see the document, go here:
>
>http://www.registrars.cmich.edu/courses/classsched.htm
>
>and select the Spring 2005 link.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Andrew Mutch
>Library Systems Technician
>Waterford Township Public Library
>Waterford, MI
>
>
>
>  
>


-- 
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Karen Coyle / Digital Library Consultant
kcoyle at kcoyle.net http://www.kcoyle.net
ph.: 510-540-7596
fx.: 510-848-3913
mo.: 510-435-8234
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