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SSSCA Hearing October 25th: Free Software Threatened
A story at NewsForge details the latest on the state of Senator Fritz Hollings' proposed SSSCA, which may be the most radical attempt at legislative oversight over electronic goods ever attempted in the U.S. Opposition from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Free Software Foundation, the Association of Computing Machinery and others notwithstanding, Hollings' efforts to impede a free market in computer hardware and software through legislative fiat has been little commented on, in part because Hollings refuses to release much information about it. Eben Moglen is quoted to good effect on the risk a bill officializing and regulating all digital devices would pose to Free software. Under the SSSCA, it would be "unlawful to manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide or otherwise traffic in any interactive digital device that does not include and utilize certified security technologies." And that rules out most Free software, right from the start. (Read on for some more information.)
Besides writing your own representatives (email and faxes are probably better than phone calls), note that according to Hollings' contact page, "South Carolina residents may call, toll free, 1-800-922-8503" to reach him. In addition, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and the Privacy Center will be holding a meeting on "Security or Surveillance? Technology's Impact After September 11" on October 22 at Washington, DC's National Press Club; you can email for details on this meeting.
I thought this idea would go over big.
According to the Title of the article on Newsforge, Senator Fritz Hollings (D-Disney) avoids talking about SSSCA, he's a Democrat from the state of Disney?!
When did that happen? Talk about getting your moneys worth from your lobbying efforts... Not just protected by corporate statutes, but now they can elect their own government officials!
Culture is more than commerce
as usual, this is very USA-centric
Yes, it is. That's why it's posted under the U.S. topic. Our Congress isn't passing laws for the rest of the world. Yet.
-- dR.fuZZo
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Here would be an interesting project to try to undertake...
An analog computer.
True, it would be a nightmare to write, and inefficient, but it is not an "interactive digital device."
**braces for slaps upside the head due to stupid comment**
-- I prefer the term "karma escort."
Hollings wants to censor our FREE SPEECH, letter by letter.
First he'll take away our S, because it stands for Security.
Then he'll take away our C, because it stands for the Constitution.
Then he'll take away our H, just for the Hell of it, because he can.
That will leave us with nothing but our own precious bodily fluids: FREE PEE!
If you're PISSED OFF at Hollings and his Politically Incorrect Security Systems Standards and Certification bill (PISSSCA), then urinate your hot yellow opinion into a film canister, clearly label it "100% PURE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED FREE PEE", and mail a sample of your FREE PEE to:
Fritz Hollings
Washington, D.C.
125 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Fritz Hollings
Charleston, S.C.
112 Custom House
200 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Fritz Hollings
Columbia, S.C.
1835 Assembly Street
Suite 1551
Columbia, SC 29201
Fritz Hollings
Greenville, S.C.
126 Federal Building
Greenville, SC 29603
Act now to stop this menacing yellow wave of Trickle Down Censorship!
"The content industries want to make a leakproof pipe that leads from their production facility directly to the eyeball and eardrum of the consumer." -Eben Moglen, Chief Counsel for the Free Software Foundation.
Section 109 says "The term 'interactive digital device' means any machine, device, product, software, or technology, whether or not included with or as part of some other machine, device, product, software, or technology, that is designed, marketed or used for the primary purpose of, and that is capable of, storing, retrieving, processing, performing, transmitting, receiving, or copying information in digital form."
Since I believe the human body is wonderful example of technology, I'm wondering if Section 101(a) means that I have to use my Microsoft IntelliFinger(tm) to interactively and digitally salute Mr. Hollings and Mr. Stevens.
Please, Senators, don't pass this legislation!
Ha! Oh man. Making an appeal to senators in a slashdot posting is like posting an IT job in Sports Illustrated. No, wait, worse.