Re: New Internet Law

[!smentzer@ecom.net (Steve Mentzer)]

>> Under the new law, a person who "willfully" infringes on copyrighted
>>material
>>worth at least $1,000 could be subject to criminal prosecution even if he
>>does
>>not profit by it.  Under the previous law, copyright violators could not
>>be charged
>>with criminal misconduct unless they profited from the violation.
>>Software and
>>entertainment groups, including the Business Software Alliance, the Motion
>>Picture
>>Association and the Association of American Publishers, said the change
>>was essential
>>to protect software, music recordings and other creative products easily
>>pirated
>>over the Internet.
>
>Yes, Bill did sign this bill. The problem that I see is enforcement. Where is
>Mr. Clinton going to find enforcement personnel? Maybe he could ask for
>volunteers from the internet. Everyone can do Gomer Pyle's line..."Citizen's
>arrest!!!!" (spoken with a really deep southern accent). 


In addition, there is an interesting statement of "worth at least $1,000.00" 
there. That really eliminates the vast majority of older software titles (like 
the ones for our beloved apple II). How can you put a price tag on something 
like "Gemstone Warrior"?

smentzer@ecom.net