IP: Respected British Scientist Resigns from US-Based Conference-Planning Committee: EFFector 14.15: Uproar Around the World over Sklayrov Arrest; More!

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> 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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