Very Computer

Time to fight back through the correct channels...

<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/26433.html>

Large quote follows:

<quote>
Be it resolved that we, the people, both US citizens and citizens from
abroad, hereby declare the following:

(1.) That an unconditional boycott must be made against key firms,
particularly the BSA, RIAA, and MPAA, in an effort to encourage the
establishment of fair and honest business practices, and to promote
nondiscriminatory relations with regard to customers and end-users;

(2.) We demand the retraction or striking down of all
counterproductive legislation such as the DMCA, and reserve the right
to demand such for any similar article or document from the present,
past, or future;

(3.) We refuse to recognize any media or content distribution or
creation entity as a legitimate law enforcement agency;

(3[i].)-- no entity besides the rightful government of a state will be
granted law enforcement powers by the State, as the establishment of
such would forseeably undermine citizens' freedoms and democratic
rights;

(3[ii])-- no entity shall be granted any form of vigilante powers
under any circumstance, by any other entity or the State, as this is
strongly contrary to what a legitimate and free democracy should stand
for.

(4.) We reserve the right to enjoy the provisions of "First Sale" and
"Fair Use" protected under existing national and international
copyright conventions;

(5.) We find the passing of legislation which allows crime to be
legitimized for any agency for the purpose of personal gain to be
utterly intolerable.

(6.) In the event that any entity, corporate or otherwise, is granted
any piece of blatantly oppressive legislation or vigilante rights,
such as the right to commit a federal computer crime with impunity,
the citizens of all nations reserve the right to:

(6[i])-- declare a state of war against that entity and any parties
that share responsibility, whereby "war" is defined as the right to
assume equal rights as those which the oppressor has enacted, and in
doing so, the citizens are entitled to commit at least one retaliatory
act in return for every act made by the "oppressing" entity;

(6[i][a])--- any such state of war will remain in full force until the
legislation or grant of power in question has been reversed or struck
down and is completely eliminated. Proof of such elimination will be
required in all instances

</quote>

Chew on this one... :)

Advocate One

I've made it clear that anyone who attacks me will get a retaliatory
strike by me in return, 10 fold.  This includes any corporate entity that
I do not recognize as being legitimate law enforcement.

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On Tue, 30 Jul 2002 16:32:31 GMT, WarpKat assert()ed:

We're all so scared by your 1337 5|<R!p7Z we'd never think of attacking you.

Quote:> Time to fight back through the correct channels...

><http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/26433.html>

> Large quote follows:

[snip]

This neither goes through "the correct channels", nor shows much promise.

The way to enact change is to make it clear to the legislators that they *will*
lose votes if they pass this.

Creating a copyright "hall of shame" would be a good start. Mailing your
senator and/or representative would also help.

Nothing you do will stop companies pushing for laws that are clearly in their
interests. Companies are not democracies, and aren't required to answer to you.

On the other hand, legislators are democratically elected. You *can* withdraw
your support for a legislator, and if you can mobilise enough votes, this *is*
an effective strategy. There are numerous interest groups that have succesfully
campaigned on their ability to mobilise votes as opposed to their ability to
contribute campaign dollars. Campaign dollars will not do a whole lot of good
if all of your supporters are desserting you.

--
Donovan

You should be.  I had chili for lunch.

--
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                              From the Linux Box of WarpKat


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I don't know about the constitution-style writing, but I totally agree.
It's about time someone stood up for these principles, so far we have
lost fair use, *limited* copyright terms, ability to resell, and we are
now losing our right to fair trial, freedom from illegal search and
siesure, and government protection against vigilante frontier justice.

--
Nucleon, RLU #278930, <http://counter.li.org/>

Try not!  Do! or do not.  There is no try.
 -- Yoda

Quote:>It's not practical to boycott all members of (for example) the RIAA.
>Nearly all music that is recorded and released comes from an RIAA
>label.

CDs and DVDs are not a necessity of life. Maybe people won't get angry
enough to boycott the RIAA, but it is certainly practical for them to
do so if they choose.

Quote:>However, I was referring mostly to the part about "declaring war".
>"Retaliatory" acts will just make those involved look like common
>criminals, and no-one will care when they are sent to prison.

Who says that retaliatory acts have to be criminal? The RIAA has other
legislative agenda where they have less leverage; lobby against
everything they want. If you have to buy music, buy it from foreign
studios. Start creating alternative distribution channels for artists
who don't want to be ripped off by the studios. Try to find
incriminating information about members and turn it over to the
authorities. Sue them the first time they step over the line.

Some of these may not be practical, but I'm sure that there are many
others that I've overlooked. Be creative. Keep it legal, but don't be
concerned about hurting their tender little feelings.

--
     Shmuel (Seymour J.) Metz, SysProg and JOAT
     Atid/2, Team OS/2, Team PL/I

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I mangled my E-mail address to foil automated spammers; reply to
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