2 Apr
2002
2 Apr
'02
3:51 a.m.
> >The reason why something is developed is
really not that relevant to how
> >it may ultimately be used
> So, according to you... if someone can find an illegal use for an
> otherwise legal item, that item should no longer be available to ANYONE,
> regardless of if it has legitimate legal uses?
In the Betamax case, the US Supreme court said that if there is ANY
legitimate use of a device, then it is legal, even if most uses are
illegal. (Warner Bros said that the primary purpose of a VCR was to make
illegal copies (off the air) of copyrighted movies; Sony said that MOST
VCR owners connect a camera and make home movies (porno?))
'Course the current supremes, ...
John Draper was arrested and convicted in Pennsylvania
in '77 or '78
for "possession of a device capable of defrauding the telephone company
of its rightful tarrifs". I met him on his journey back to the left coast after
he got out.
John obviously did not have Sony's clout with the court.
Legal principles obviously are not as important to courts as whose ox is
gored.
Has Rockwell been locked up? Unlikely...
Should
they be?