require all computers to have built-in policeware

[lockedfree]

Quote:

4/8/2004: A new bill introduced would require all new computers to have built-in "policeware" to monitor your actions.
These Guys are taking a stand. You should too.

A petition against Some changes the Gov wants to make.
http://www.stopfcc.com/

WHAT IS THE CBDTPA?


The CBDTPA is a bill (S. 204 proposed in Congress by Senators Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), John Breaux (D-LA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The acronym stands for "Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act". Note that the CBDTPA was originally known as the "SSSCA" while in draft form.

WHAT WOULD THIS LAW DO?

The law would force all new personal computers and digital home entertainment devices sold in the United States to have government-approved "policeware" built-in.

This policeware would restrict your use of copyrighted material on these devices -- including music files and CD's, video clips, DVD's, e-books, and more.

Think you'd be able to get around the law by removing the policeware from your personal computer? Think again -- anyone who defies the government by disabling or tampering with the policeware on their own computer, in the privacy of their own home or business, would also face up to five years in the slammer. Since alternative operating systems like Linux and FreeBSD would most likely refuse to incorporate government policeware into their code, users of these open-source systems would also be eligible for hard time.

If we have any hope of keeping government policeware off of our personal computers and home entertainment devices, we must act quickly and decisively. For starters, you can sign our petition opposing the CBDTPA, contact your representative in Washington, tell a friend about this site, and put a banner on your own web site.



http://www.stoppoliceware.org/?fromstopfccdotcom


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
-The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

[natas]

Sorry but something like this would never happen. They can't throw you in Jail for running Linux...and they also can't throw me in Jail for serving this website on Linux.


Just another stupid bill that will never pass

[toker]

That is so crazy. and I thought the little black boxes in our cars was bad

[eddie]

proposed in Congress by Senators Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), John Breaux (D-LA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

Standard fare for that crowd as they are also the same ones wanting to eliminate many rights and freedoms in the sake of turning the democracy we have, into a dictatorship for them to have ALL the powers.

[lockedfree]

Far be it from me to tell you guys how to vote but if you agree with the petition I hope you guys are signing it, instead of just talking about it.


J

[toker]

A buddy of mine here that is "in the know" said this

This bill (and SSSCA before it) have been around for a while….none of the tech companies - except MS and Intel - support this…and MS only because it's trying to promote its own "trusted computing" platform…this bill would be a boon to this platform…

[telefrag]

hmm..

FreeBSD for me then!

[BWSmith]

Just another stupid bill that will never pass

Unfortunately, that was the attitude in GA recently when a bill was proposed. The bill made it ILLEGAL to have and lights construed as "Holiday Lights" (basically any outdoor lights on a string) up after Jan 31. Everyone laughed because it was so far fetched, but it passed because everyone thought it was a joke and was too dumb to even consider and it had no opposition. Now even resturants that have them out as part of the permanant decor, get fined on a PER BULB basis. I realize that state laws are much easier to pass, just food for thought.

[eddie]

And this crowd depends on the apethy of voters in getting their way.