[Upd-discuss] IP Pursued by Patriot Act?

[Michael Hart]

I got these by relay, sorry I don't have source material:


   From the BNA Highlights:

>  DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PURSUES RUBIK'S CUBE IP CASE
>  The Oregonian reports that a local Oregon toy store received
>  a visit from federal Homeland Security agents demanding that
>  the owner remove a toy called the Magic Cube, which they
>  claimed was an illegal copy of the Rubik's Cube. Officials
>  say that their agency is responsible for "protecting the
>  integrity of the economy and our nation's financial systems
>  and obviously trademark infringement does have significant
>  economic implications."

from a friend:

Yes, there have been other cases as well of use of the PATRIOT Act to
pursue copyright infringement. In theory, anything that affects the
economy could be called a national security issue, but what is
significant is that it is so far only intellectual property that has
been singled out for this special protection.