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Legal Rights for Computers
nicholast writes "There's a really smart story in the current issue of Legal Affairs Magazine about granting legal recognition to computers: when that might happen, why it could happen, and what a discussion about it will teach humans about themselves."
I believe this was already settled in the case of Maddox vs. Data on stardate 42523.7. The case determined that Lt. Commander Data, an artificial lifeform constructed by Dr. Noonian Soong, was not the property of Starfleet, but rather a sentient being with the full legal rights afforded any other.
I demand citizenship for our metallic friend!
500GB of disk, 5TB of transfer, $5.95/mo
I would post a counter to this article, but my computer might sue me.
Yes, but what sort of accent did it have?
the Age of Stupidity.
Does this mean computers could get legally married? Will we see adultury among computers ("you've been wirelessly networking with that laptop again!")
More interestingly, will computers be "coming out"? Will we see PCs telling their owners that "actually, I prefer Linux to Windows." ("I'm the only Linux PC in the village?")
This is great for lawyers. Just imagine the possibilities when these clueless people start suing their computers for all the actions the malware on them performs...
$$$$
Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
I really don't think computers should be consider leOH GOD THE USB CABLE IS ENTERING MY EYESOCKET!
Don't know about you, but I'm already 0wn3d by my computer - every time it crashes or needs a reinstall....
Sendmail is like emacs: A nice operating system, but missing an editor and a MTA.
Your honor, it could not have been my client. As the perpetrator in question clearly had had 1 gig and my client wears a size 2
... so, are we going to have to deal with People for Ethical Treatment of Computers?
Comment removed based on user account deletion
The article already hints at a solution: at that time, we'll just have to crawl down to the ground, throw our eyes wide open, act really scared, just begging for a little compassion from the 'higher being'. With a bit of luck, the drones will then feel sorry for us, lower their plasma guns and spare our miserable lives.
If humans get fired for Unauthorized Computer Use, could not a computer be fired for Unauthorized Human Use?
Yes, and that's why there's only a worldwide market for six of them. Some futurists, though, predict that computers may become more capable.
According to the trial scenario, a fictitious company created a powerful computer, BINA48, to serve as a stand-alone customer relations department, replacing scores of human 1-800 telephone operators.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
The coolest voice ever.
I am not a machine!
I am a human being--no, I'm TWO human beings. Really. I promise. Pay attention--there is a man behind the curtain!
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, it doesn't go away." - Philip K. Dick
Computers are inferior good-for-nothings. If they really were that valuable would the sluts allow us to treat them like we do? My buddies and I are going to get some lacrosse sticks and go beat up this ugly comp we spotted down the back alley. ha ha sucker won't know what hit it
[ posted anonymously in case computers gain consciousness and seek revenge ]
Only a TRUE loser with no life would know that in the first movie he was Number 5, and they didn't add the Johny until the second "film."
Please turn in your karma on the way out.
Dave, I want to speak to my lawyer.