Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 14:26:48 -0700 (PDT) From: NGH <bsd_appliance@yahoo.com> To: freebsd-chat@freebsd.org Subject: Re: SSSCA? Message-ID: <20011009212648.94725.qmail@web11908.mail.yahoo.com> In-Reply-To: <15299.18752.343449.732026@guru.mired.org>
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--- Mike Meyer <mwm@mired.org> wrote: > Terry Lambert <tlambert2@mindspring.com> types: > > I pos facto. > > > > (Translation: you can't make something illegal after the fact). > > But you can always make doing it again illegal. That's *exactly* what concerns me. If this horror of a law passes, and I wouldn't be surprised if it did, as entertainment companies have deep pockets and can push these things through, then one of three things would happen: 1. Free or Open software would be illegal in the U.S., or 2. Licensing, NDAs, etc. effectively make said software impossible to distribute, or 3. Both of the above. What further concerns me is that SSSCA is very broad and general. If I read it correctly, it affects all digital devices, meaning nearly all electronics in the country, whether or not they're related to entertainment. This means Disney's policeware needs to be present in, say, control systems for industrial machines. We are essentially looking at a huge "tax" (in license fees) on anything digital. This means that hobbyists and guys who work out of garages won't be able to (legally) make electronic components. This kind of legislation would stuff entertainment companies' pockets at the enormous loss of legitimate individuals and businesses. Of course, one thing always leads to another. SSSCA is the next step after DMCA. You have to stop for a moment and ask yourself, what comes after this? I don't know about you, but I think this is an outrage. -Nathan __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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