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Open Relays, Free Speech, and Virus Propagation

Posted by michael on from the now-boarding-at-port-25 dept.

sirsnork writes: "There is a story about John Gilmore running an open relay that is being used by a virus to propagate running over at Newsbytes. His defence? He wants his friends to be able to send email through his server from whereever they are. You'd think he'd know better." Gilmore has been skirmishing with Verio for some time over his open mail relay. Is it a good thing because it promotes the free flow of information? Is it bad for promoting the free flow of spam? Do the ethics change because someone writes a virus that uses the server to propagate? Interesting questions.

3 of 452 comments (clear)

  1. Blame Microsoft by boltar · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    If it wasn't for the virus propagation tool known as Outlook this virus and its ilk wouldn't even
    exist. Sure this guys being an idiot but we should focus on the REAL source of this sort of
    these viruses, ie the idiot marketdroids at MS who thought being able to run executables in email
    would be "kool".
    I'll admit though its hard to even blame MS for non viral spam :)

  2. Re:What's his IP address? by RedOregon · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    That's right. And if his friends start selling crack out of his house, by gum, it's not his fault or his responsibility!

    Sheesh.

    Who's gonna hit him a few times with the cluestick?

    --
    Skivvy Niner? Email me!
    HEY! Look left just ONE MORE TIME!
  3. Re:Free flow. by TekPolitik · · Score: 3, Flamebait
    Information wants to be free, but my mail client does not want to be chock-full of herbal pot alternative spam.

    The problem with Gilmore (and the EFF, which is Gilmore's mouthpiece), is that he first got involved in lobbying to get copyright for software through (so people wouldn't copy his software), and since then he's basically opposed every single law relating to technology that has been proposed. It doesn't matter if the law is a good one, or if it's beneficial to the geek community - if it's a law relating to technology, he'll oppose it.

    Certainly there are some things that need to be opposed, but with the EFF there is no discretion - if it's a law that relates to technology, it must be bad. Except copyright law because it helped Gilmore make his millions.

    Gilmore and the EFF have long since ceased to represent the groups and interests they claim. They are utterly without relevance, although they seem to be able to con a few people to donate to them. Frankly, donating to the EFF is a bad idea - if Gilmore wants a personal mouthpiece for irrationally opposing all tech law, he can pay for it himself (and can afford to do so) without begging others to subsidise him.