Yes this IS for real, but it is a draft that has not (as yet) been
submitted to Congress.
It's not microsoft who's bankrolling this -- it's the entertainment
business (notably Disney). They seem to be of the opinion that people
only use computers to view or listen to their entertainment products and
that everyone should all be required to only run software that they
control using OUR congress as their frontmen.
It is absolutely imperative that people become informed as to this
potential menace and contact our representatives early and often.
Find your House Representative here: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Your Senators here:
Graham, Bob (D - FL)
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
bob_graham@graham.senate.gov
Nelson, Bill (D - FL)
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
senator@billnelson.senate.gov
Don't just email them -- at least send a snail-mail letter. Better if
it's USPS certified mail then you'll get a legal document proving it was
received and he/she will have to produce photo id and sign for it when
it arrives. They'll be sure to read THAT one and pay attention! Be
polite but firm and clear.
Ed.
bpreece1@tampabay.rr.com wrote:
>
> >Security Systems Standards and Certification Act.
> >A new proposal is being introduced by U.S. Senator Hollings that can
> >make it a civil offense to create or sell any type of computer
> >equipment that "does not include and utilize certified security
> >technologies" approved by the federal government.
> >
> >As reported by Wired Magazine: "It also creates new federal felonies,
> >punishable by five years in prison and fines of up to $500,000. Anyone
> >who distributes copyrighted material with "security measures" disabled
> >or has a network-attached computer that disables copy protection is
> >covered."
> >
> >The term "certified security technology" means a security technology
> >that is certified by the United States Secretary of Commerce. If this
> >law is passed, many Open Source applications could become illegal.
> >MandrakeSoft asks that all American Linux users please contact your
> >representative and let them know how you feel about this dangerous
> >proposal.
> >http://www.eff.org/congress.html
> >
> >It's already illegal to view DVDs in Linux; it's another matter to
> >outlaw an entire operating system.
>
> What we need is to demand the DOJ to launch a investigation to check any
> individual such as the mentioned person and check and see if they hold any
> stocks
> in Microsoft!
>
> If found holding stocks into such a company make it a criminal act to
> campaign
> such activities as a attempt to sabotage the market and allowing and
> competition
> thus creating a monopolistic practice.
>
> Also find out who is behind the campaigns and ideals to promote such a
> thing.
>
> Since when is a Political office person capable of making technology laws
> without
> knowing the market!
>
> Next then we need to launch a campaign that would make huge companies like
> Microsoft responsible for encouraging Hackers and Virus programmers whom
> they do nothing to prevent this in the Products in which they produce.
>
> BTW whom would be the ones checking the security of the products?
> Also are they going to enforce this to where all closed source software
> companies
> are just as liable?
>
> Such any act of this would create one of the largest problems in the IT
> community!
>
> Not to mention it would stop anyone from having a choice of products and
> thus
> taking away FREEDOM OF CHOICE!
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