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- - Policeware? (https://thetfp.com/tfp/general-discussion/40546-policeware.html)

http://www.stoppoliceware.org/

If this is old news and everyone on the face of this Earth has already heard of it, then sorry about that. Anyways, I signed the petition because I barely read about it today. I looked it up on Snopes and didn't find it so I'm assuming that this is a real petition.

Quote:

WHAT IS THE CBDTPA?

The CBDTPA is a bill (S. 2048) 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.

WHO COULD GO TO JAIL?

You, if you're one of the millions of Americans who uses your computers to burn music CD's, listen to MP3's, share video files, etc. You'd face up to five years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.

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 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.

HOW CAN WE FIGHT THIS?

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.

Also, if you're a constituent, feel free to contact the CBDTBA's sponsors in the Senate to let them know how you feel. Please be polite and well-reasoned.
- Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) - (202) 224-6121
- Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) - (202) 224-3004
- Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) - (202) 224-3934
- Senator John Breaux (D-LA) - (202) 224-4623
- Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) - (202) 224-5274
- Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) - (202) 224-3841
- Capitol switchboard -- call YOUR Senator! - (202) 224-3121

Finally, the Senate Judiciary Committee has set up a page where you can share your thoughts: Click Here to Visit. PLEASE NOTE that it's more effective to contact your Senator directly -- if you post a comment to the above page, please be sure to make a printout and mail / fax it to your Senator.

Thanks for joining the fight.

fucking asshats. Time to start emailing friends.

This has to violate our damn rights..

I wouldn't get too heated by this. Sign the petition, sure. But even if it passes, the courts will have to knock it down.

Quote:

Originally posted by denim
I wouldn't get too heated by this. Sign the petition, sure. But even if it passes, the courts will have to knock it down.

*whew* You're right. Hadn't though about that :D

Damn that really sucks :-/ Hope it doesn't pass...

Wow...talk about infriging on your freedom...

The so called "policeware" are suppose to restrict you from copying or playing illegal copyrighted material? I'm sorry but I know a government coverup when I see one...I get the feeling that it's gonna be more than the copyright materials....

Unfortunately, for the courts to knock it down, someone's going to have to sue. Think EFF!

All I know is that they'll have a hard time implementing such a law anyway. Various cracks will be installed on so many machines! And they'll be done in such a way to make them hard to find. Enough good programmers would be po'd to make sure of this. Software would be distributed from outside the USA specifically to get beyond the law's domain.

The only reason for a law like this is money to the pols involved. I hope they get defeated in any coming elections for coming up with stupid shit like this.

wow... all I can say is "signed".

there was some article a while ago regarding versions of microsoft's next operating system, longhorn ( i think ). it was supposedly going to contain some coding of this sort where it would not allow the use of illegal material and would report any such instances to the proper authorities.

never heard of this policeware tho. thanks

fritz hollings, the senator mainly responsible for this, is the MPAA's (motion picture assocation of america) puppet. They are his largest campaign contributer. Nevermind the fact that this bill would cripple the entire tech industry and cause us to be at a disadvantage to foreign competitors... just as long as our movie industry is happy its all gravy baby. Thats what he gets paid to think.

lol, all Linux-users should go straight to jail :p

does't seem like it's gonna work, MS and Apple would have to make 38 different versions of their OS because not all countries would support or legalize all aspects of this policeware. And when there are different versions, then users will start spreading the version with the least amount of policeware on it.

And if they were to put it in a hardware format, you'll see a drastic revival of clones everywhere.

I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening :)

This is a VERY unfortunate attempt at information dictatorship!

Can anyone say "palladium"? (or more recently: "trusted computing")

Sign the petition and keep your eyes open. More attacks on personal freedom and privacy are around the corner!

I'm looking at it like this.
After this petition is circulated they will have a huge checklist of people that they can knock on their door and take their computers and send to jail. Since you know 99.5% (+-0.5% error) of people that sign this have performed the operations that are being surpressed by this bill.

Otherwise just wait, even if it is implemented. It's not like it won't be cracked within the first month.

Signed that over a year ago I'd say, I also sent out mail letters (NOT email) to my representitives and got a response back from one.

This sort of thing even if it legally cant be passed, needs to be shown to your house and senat that the PEOPLE DO NOT WANT THIS.

I decided to go above any beyond the usual form letter and sent my Senators a short essay on why this is is a violation of our rights and a subversion of the judicial process.

Um, OUCH! That has to be the most serious violation of electronic privacy EVER! It essentially means that they will spy on everything you do and if they don't like it, you go to jail. No way the public would go along with this, so if they do try to pass it it will be piggy backed on another bill deemed "A Matter of National Security" in order to get it through fast and unnoticed.