[ILUG] the adobe arrest...

[Markus]

This is Alan's reaction:

He resigns from USENIX ALS:
http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=01/07/20/1228200

Markus

-----Original Message-----
From: ilug-admin at linux.ie [mailto:ilug-admin at linux.ie]On Behalf Of kevin
lyda
Sent: 22 July 2001 15:03
To: irish linux users group
Subject: [ILUG] the adobe arrest...


ok, this might seem off-topic, but it's not.  a russian developer was
arrested for writing a paper on the security of adobe's product.  while
the product doesn't run on linux, the following issues are important to
those of us who develop linux based s/w for ourselves or our companies.
and it's true whether it's an open or closed application.

if that s/w violates laws like the dmca or the various decency standards
across the us, that s/w (or review for that matter) makes it to those
areas, and *you* make it to those areas there is a possibility you might
be arrested, fined and/or serve jail time.

this seems to even be true if it's work you do for your company, and
it's true even if you're there on business for your company.

i *highly* suggest you give this some thought if you are asked to travel
to the us for your company.  i also suggest you check out websites like
http://www.boycottadobe.com and follow some of the suggestions listed.

this isn't over the top - it's actually happened.  it *is* stupid and
i think everyone would be better off if no one was wasting their time
with it.  apparently some people believe differently, so it would be
best if as many people as possible spoke up now rather then later.

kevin

--
kevin at suberic.net          "linux is a cancer"  --steve ballmer
fork()'ed on 37058400      "released 25 august 1991, linux is a virgo" --me
meatspace place: home       linux, not just a star-sign:
http://suberic.net/~kevin                             http://www.linux.com/

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