Slashdot Mirror
Other Tech the Senate Would Have Banned
An anonymous reader writes "A few weeks ago, Senators Patrick Leahy and Orrin Hatch introduced the 'Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act' (COICA) bill, which was discussed here on Slashdot. The main part of the bill would allow the Justice Department to shut down websites that it deems are 'dedicated to infringing activities,' without a trial (due process is so old fashioned). Of course, in reviewing the bill, it's important to note that pretty much every new technology in the entertainment industry over the last century was deemed 'dedicated to infringing activities,' so here's a list of all of the technologies COICA would have banned in the past, including Hollywood itself, radio, cable television, the photocopier, the iPod and more."
We should also have an amendment that Rights listed in the constitution only apply to individual human beings. (i.e. Not corporations or PACs or Unions, or any other non-human thing that doesn't presently have a right to vote.)
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall