L. Dettweiler writes:
Ug. Blech. What the heck is EFF doing something like this? This strikes me as promoting hysteria and paranoia over image content and BBS operator liability. I hope Mr. T.C. May will have something eloquent to say about how silly, useless, and damaging this is. Didn't anyone talk to M. Godwin about this?! Is EFF the new CERT? Are we going to have new periodic EFF Pornographic GIF warnings?
No, I won't say it was silly, useless, or damaging. EFF is just sending out some free legal advice, neither demanding removal of these files nor threating SYSOPS in any way. The EFF didn't make decided the files were obscene (actually, I'm not sure anybody has...and of course my view, which may be L.D. was thinking of, is that no files, no images can be called obscene). I don't have to support the obscenity laws to realize that EFF is doing SYSOPS a favor by notifying them that certain files are very likey to be treated as obscene (and subjecting their boards to seizure, a la several recent cases, including one near me). Do I hear any volunteers to become a test case? -Tim May -- .......................................................................... Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, collapse of governments. Higher Power: 2^756839 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. Note: I put time and money into writing this posting. I hope you enjoy it.