#Ethics vs. Sex on CDROMs
11 messages in this thread
Jan,
Is it even legal to include a virus on software when you know it's there?
Jerry
Jerry,
I'm certainly not the authority on the legality of viruses. I have a glimmer
of a recollection that it is against a federal law but I haven't the time or
resources to research it.
I assume that the publisher didn't knowingly include the virus (or the
explicitly sexual photos) in his "shoveling" software onto his disc to make it
a "bargain", and only found out after he had produced his discs. The
reprehensible part is trying to continue to sell the discs AFTER finding out.
This puts his profit above the safety of others, and that isn't nice.
Typhoid Mary was supposedly a very nice little old lady who wouldn't harm a
flea. Bosnia is "cleansing" itself. Hitler was "improving" a super-race, and
Atilla's jockey shorts were probably just a little too tight. Anything can be
rationalized.
If it isn't legal, do you think we should try to make it so?
Rgds
Jan
Jan,
Ok, so the publisher didn't know about the virus when he went to press. Lets
give him that benefit. He knows now. To continue to sell the discs is (I
think) a violation of Federal law.
If it isn't illegal, then yes! I think it should be made so.
Jerry
Jerry,
You're right, we should give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he didn't
know. But again, you are right — HE KNOWS NOW! He is really pushing to sell
his remaining discs, big discounts, etc.
Rgds
Jan
Jan,
I wonder who the cop on the beat is when it comes to viruses. Seems to me they
should be stepping in here with some charges. Does a private person need to
file or is there an organization that does this.
Rich, (if you're listening) do you know the answer?
Jerry
Jerry,
Good question. One would think that it would be the FBI, interstate commerce
and communications, and all that. Part of their problem is their lack of
expertise in these new areas of crime. I can almost guarantee you that if
someone put a virus into a Federal database, they would be involved.
See the recent news on the two hackers from England? It took several years and
the concerted efforts of police in eight countries to finally catch them!
There are new laws coming on the books. Oddly, you can now go to jail a lot
longer for some BBS "crimes" than you can for murder. The enforcement part is
still a bit confused, however.
Rgds
Jan
Jan,
I have been watching the big BBS case here in Ohio. It's been interesting.
From what I've read, it sounds like the police have held the BBS to a higher
ethic standard than the rest of us.
Jerry
The "Steve Jackson Games" BBS case is pretty interesting, too. For instance,
checkout BBS Caller's Digest May 1993.
-bc-
Bruce, Jerry,
This is the case where the FBI got slapped down BIG TIME!
Only in Texas, right?
Rgds
Jan
The FBI did get slapped down, but not nearly as badly as it could have, and
also not necessarily for the right reasons. Nonetheless, some precedents were
set, and I think they will be more careful about seizing computer systems whose
contents might turn out to be irrelevant.
I hope the stuff I mentioned about "attractive nuisance" and such made sense.
-bc-
Jerry,
Isn't it the truth!
We do what others make us do!
Good observation!
Rgds
Jan