When everyone is a criminal, no one is free.
by T. Colin Dodd
From the Washington Post. Via boingboing
Russia Casts A Selective Net in Piracy Crackdown
MOSCOW, Nov. 13 — The newspaper Novaya Gazeta, one of the last outposts of critical journalism in Russia, suspended publication of its regional edition in the southern city of Samara on Monday after prosecutors opened a criminal case against its editor, alleging that his publication used unlicensed software.
The case is part of a larger assault on independent news media, advocacy organizations and political activists, according to government critics. But it is one that is specifically tailored to deflect foreign criticism.
In multiple police raids against such groups, authorities are ostensibly targeting the alleged use of counterfeit software. Western governments and companies have long urged action against the widespread piracy in Russia.
“Our law enforcement finally realized that computers are very important tools for their opponents, and they have decided to take away these tools by doing something close to the West’s agenda,” said Vladimir Pribylovsky, head of the Panorama research institute in Moscow. “I suppose you could say it’s very clever.”
In the past 10 months, police in at least five Russian cities have raided the offices of media outlets, political parties and private advocacy groups and seized computers allegedly containing illegal software, paralyzing the work of the organizations. Often, authorities demand that employees submit to questioning and order them not to leave town until legal action is completed.
November 15th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Folks, drop that. Better put your nose into your own gov’t little deeds. You’ll find way more entertaining things.
–
tired of american idiocy:
you won’t be any healthier
just because you think
everyone else is sick
November 15th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
I think this is an interesting story because it not only could, but probably will happen here (in the US, in the west, anywhere copyright law is what it is) at some point. Any law can be abused. This is just a really clear case.
It illustrates why maintaining freedom is important. The Russian Government is merely pioneering the technique that will soon be deployed all over the world (unless common sense prevails.)
See upcoming post about an onerous change in US copyright law that should balance the scales as far as pointing out flaws in the US. There are commonalities and plenty of places where control is maintained in increasingly unsavory ways.
Thanks for your comment, as always.