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IP: Respected British Scientist Resigns from US-Based Conference-Planning Committee: EFFector 14.15: Uproar Around the World over Sklayrov Arrest; More!
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 14:01:14 -0400
Respected British Scientist Resigns from US-Based Conference-Planning Committee Citing Fear of Prosecution under DMCA UK scientist & programmer Alan Cox, a key member of the USENIX Annual Linux Showcase (ALS) planning committee, has resigned in the wake of the arrest of DEFCON presenter Dmitry Sklyarov and legal threats against USENIX presenter Prof. Edward Felten & colleagues, under the questionably-constitutional US "Digital Millennium Copyright Act" (DMCA). Cox sent USENIX the following open letter of resignation: I hereby tender my resignation to the USENIX ALS committee. With the arrest of Dimitry Sklyarov it has become apparent that it is not safe for non-US software engineers to visit the United States. While he was undoubtedly chosen for political reasons as a Russian it is a good example for the US public that the risk extends arbitarily further. USENIX by its choice of a US location is encouraging other programmers, many from Eastern European states hated by the US government, to take the same risks. That is something I cannot morally be part of. Who will be the next conference speaker slammed into a US jail for years for committing no crime? Are USENIX prepared to take the chance it will be their speakers? Until the DMCA mess is resolved I would urge all non-US citizens to boycott conferences in the USA and all US conference bodies to hold their conferences elsehere. I appreciate that this problem is not of USENIX making, but it must be addressed. Alan Cox Similar resignations of non-US members of US conference- and other event-planning bodies are increasing, with many more expected. It is thus crystal clear that the DMCA is having one of the most palpable "chilling effects" in American history on perfectly legal expression. EFF remains very concerned about such "secondary effects" of this legislation, and is committed to seeing it undone. [Sources: Linux World News & NewsForge
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