[Am-info] Legislation Would Okay hacking Back at Filesharing Copyright Violators

[Fred A. Miller]

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Legislation Would Okay hacking Back at Filesharing Copyright Violators

Congressman Howard Berman (D-Calif.) has proposed legislation that
would allow record companies to launch cyber attacks on peer-to-peer
content sharing networks that violate copyright laws.  Permitted
defenses would include interdiction, redirection and spoofing, but
the law does not allow damage to computers or the spread of viruses.
The legislation would provide for penalties for those who abuse
their power.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2069000/2069747.stm
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-939333.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/25903.html

Press release: http://www.house.gov/berman/pr062502.htm
[Editor's Note (Schultz) I've lamented the lack of relevant computer
crime legislation in the past, but this proposed bill is not at all
what we need.  Giving companies the right to launch attacks against
the networks of organizations that engage in peer-to-peer sharing is
extremely inappropriate.  It is like giving a victim of home theft
the right to break into the thief's home.  What Congressman Berman
is doing is promoting vigilanteeism instead of helping to promote
law and order.  Hopefully, this legislation will fail.]

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Fred A. Miller
Systems Administrator
Cornell Univ. Press Services
fm@cupserv.org, www.cupserv.org
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