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American Movie Execs Could Face Aussie Jails For Hacking
pegacat points to a story in the Melbourne Age which says that "American movie, recording and software executives could be arrested if they travel to Australia, could be prohibited from entering Australia, or could be extradited to face criminal charges if Californian Democrat congressman Howard Berman's copyright protection bill, which allows cracking
of computers, passes into law." That's because "Under section 9a of the Victorian Summary Offences Act (1966), 'a person must not gain access to, or enter, a computer system or part of a computer system without lawful authority to do so'. The penalty if convicted is up to six months' jail."
One can only begin to imagine what this will bring - an amendment to the bill prohibiting extradition of media company execs to Australia.
Wouldn't the bill be considered lawful authority? If Australian law can be applied to US citizens, it's likely (though I ain't anal) that US law would apply to those same citizens.
Then again, Australia has a long and distinguished record of being a penal colony for the British, maybe it's time to reinstate that concept and ship RIAA and MPAA execs, all of Arthur Andersen, and all Fortune 500 CEOs to a remote part of the Aussie outback. We can even turn it into a spectator sport - Survivor 2.0 - broadcasting it live with free Internet feeds from ROVs orbiting the area. "Will Bill Gates eat Steve Ballmer? Tune in tomorrow on Survivor 2.0, same time, same server!"
Money for nothing, pix for free
The just have to call them Illegal Combatants, then International Law doesn't apply. Thanks George!
How much does it cost te set yourself up as a recording company in the USA? If you are a recording company and this law passes then presumably all you need to do is to have a suspicion that the RIAA is stealing your copyright material and away you go.
It should be from the butt-butt-butt dept.
I expect that bad things happen in Aussie jails...
"G'day, mate! Wouldya like jelly or syrup?"
(((shudder)))
Talisman
"Study your math, kids. Key to the universe." -The Archangel Gabriel
I envision Steve, the Crocodile Hunter, sneaking up on a Recording Exec and sticking his thumb up his bum hole. Ah, this one's angry! Look at his markings. He's a beaut'. Now ordinarily we would let him go. But, as it turns out this is one of the most dangerous creatures in the world. Up there with Lawyers and US Congressmen. No, instead, we're going to take this one back with us. We'll put him in a nice safe place where he can listen to Britney Spears all day long.
Someone hates these cans.
I vote we start a slush fund to send all RIAA and MPAA mangement to Aussieland..just to see the expression on their faces when they go to jail..
I got $5 is anyone else in?
Don't Tread on OpenSource
Dear [Michael Eisner]:
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Don't delay - act now to claim your prize.
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Australian Bureau of Law Enforcement and Consumer Marketing
*In front and side shots
It's rare that you're presented with a knob whose only two positions are Make History and Flee Your Glorious Destiny.
When flying into the country, and the customs man asks if you have a criminal record, ask innocently, "Is that still a requirement?"
Infuriate left and right
Except not many people will put "free Rosen" or "free Valenti" banners on thier websites....
The irony would almost be worth it.