[om-list] John Gilmore on Digital Copy Protection

[Mark Butler]

Luke,

The general principle is that everyone should be aware of the major legislation pending in their state and country, particularly legislation that will affect them directly.  Otherwise bad laws tend to get passed without public knowledge, simply because special interests tend to speak the loudest.

In this case we are fortunate to have a special interest (the computer manufacturers) whose interests are coincident with the interests of the public. In other cases, besides writing letters and talking about the issues with your friends and associates, the easiest way to make a difference is to contribute to a relevant public interest organization or foundation.  Even $10 can go a long way towards making sure narrow interests do not get a free ride in Washington.

See:

   http://www.eff.org/
   http://www.dfc.org/
   http://www.heritage.org/
   http://www.cato.org/

- Mark