Re: Asimov Mirror Sites ... and the illegality myth

["John King" <joki@eskimo.com>]

I'm not trying to bolster either side by saying this, but there's also a law
about junk faxes. How come I get lots of junk faxes? How come I still get
junk faxes even after I called the AG or WA, and filled out their form,
after I called US Worst and complained (they appeared to care a little
FWIW). Answ: not their priority.

I suppose the "hefty fine" part could change the mix (of course you have to
collect). Furthermore, US culture is becoming increasingly litigious - sue
tobacco, break up Bill, sue certain racial ancestors for reparation, sue
sue. --- so maybe a greedy lawyer will "take up the 'cause" for a small fee.
Still, you have to have a target big enough to make it worth your while. You
can't just throw some poor bootlegger in the slammer and take post their
pictures on the internet. What if they go offshore? What about China? Here
we are getting steamed up about A2 stuff and China is pilfering gazillions.

Meanwhile, Linux and GNU move quietly on developing great software.

AFAIK copy protection is championed by private parties who prod governments
to enforce laws. They make it a priority for government.


Jeff Blakeney <CUTblakeney@home.com> wrote in message
news:392ae13f.12272034@news...
> On Mon, 22 May 2000 22:49:02 -0500, Roy and/or Janet Miller
> <millers@inetnebr.com> wrote:
>
> >But, as you pointed about above, the owner has to call in the Law to
protect
> >his/her rights, the Law is not likely to come into such a situation
without the
> >owner's plea for aid. That is so, not just for software, but for books
and records
> >(CDs to the youngsters around here) as well. Case in point - Metallica
and the MP3
> >donnybrook. You didn't see the FBI start an investigation that alerted
the music
> >industry. If the FBI is involved, it will be because the music industry
wants
> >action and now.
>
> Just so you know, in the US, that isn't necessarily the case anymore.
>
> There was a law passed in 1998 that allows authorities to charge
> people with a criminal offense for illegally distributing copyrighted
> material whether there is any money involved or not and without having
> to involve the copyright owners.  Being found guilty of such an act
> can lead to a hefty fine and/or jail time.
>
> I used to have a URL about this but I'm not sure if I still have it.
>
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