Web page that contained a key to remove the digital-rights-management used in HD DVDs has started to circulate widely on the Internet -- and, at Digg.com, caused an open revolt after moderators initially removed postings containing the code. The site's owners, however, finally said they would refuse a cease-and-desist letter and let the controversial code remain:

Today was an insane day. And as the founder of Digg, I just wanted to post my thoughts…In building and shaping the site I've always tried to stay as hands on as possible. We've always given site moderation (digging/burying) power to the community. Occasionally we step in to remove stories that violate our terms of use (eg. linking to pornography, illegal downloads, racial hate sites, etc.). So today was a difficult day for us. We had to decide whether to remove stories containing a single code based on a cease and desist declaration. We had to make a call, and in our desire to avoid a scenario where Digg would be interrupted or shut down, we decided to comply and remove the stories with the code. But now, after seeing hundreds of stories and reading thousands of comments, you've made it clear. You'd rather see Digg go down fighting than bow down to a bigger company. We hear you, and effective immediately we won't delete stories or comments containing the code and will deal with whatever the consequences might be. If we lose, then what the hell, at least we died trying.

At issue is a 32-character code string containing the so-called "HD Processing Key," a common key to unlock the many if not all of the existing HD DVD movies using a program called BackupHDDVD, developed by crackers including MUSLIX64 and others who have posted on the Doom9.org message boards. The DRM was first cracked in December; SlySoft began shipping an HD DVD copying application in February. Although the code has been available for some time, the rudd-o.com Web site began urging users to "share this number," in much the same manner as the original CSS code for decrypting DVDs began circulating.

Update: EFF attorney Fred Von Lohmann explains the legal arguments AACS would make regarding the posting of the key. IT shows just how nasty the DMCA can be. While their argument may not be completely ironclad, they probably would have a case against Digg and any other site that published the code.