this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2025
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[–] Ferk@lemmy.ml 31 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

This is grounded in the assertion that a website’s HTML/CSS is a protected computer program that an ad blocker intervenes in the in-memory execution structures (DOM, CSSOM, rendering tree), this constituting unlawful reproduction and modification.

This is ridiculous... the in-memory structures are highly browser dependent, the browser is the one controlling how the DOM is represented in memory.. it would imply that opening the website AT ALL in a different version of the exact specific one they target or with a different set of specific features/settings would also be a violation, since the memory structure would likely be different too.

At that point, they might as well just ask for their website to not be visited at all.

[–] FriendBesto@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 days ago

Yeah, the real BS is the claim to reclassify software in a website as a copyrighted work. And that that ad blockers "changing/blocking" the code in the computer, hence the vague argument relying on Privacy Law -- would constitute, or so they say, as copyright infringement. Since the blocking cuts on their profits, as you did not let the copyrighted code run fully or in entirety. As doing so, would include ads and thus, revenue.

It is an absolute wild and bonkers claim with so many down current repercussion that it would redefine the entire internet if somehow it managed to win the case and become legal precedent. Clearly, the lawyers either do not care or never bother to think about it. Common sense would say that it should get thrown out of court. Is that insane.

Was discussing it with a lawyer friend and it is feasible or it could be argued by the reading of the claim, that if taken by the letter, that you blocking the java script on a site, would or could also be considered as "piracy," too.

[–] chillhelm@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago

By that same logic I could claim that SHOWING me an ad by circumventing my ad blocker is interfering with the in memory execution of my ad blocker. Wtf.

[–] lime@feddit.nu 5 points 1 week ago

or mandate which program can be used to access the page.

like an app.