Linux Journal: Yes, Microsoft, This Really IS About Free Speech | Linux Today

Linux Journal: Yes, Microsoft, This Really IS About Free Speech

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
May 13, 2000

[ Thanks to David for
this link. ]

Microsoft’s attempt to silence Slashdot postings concerning
its Kerberos extensions shows what’s wrong with the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)–and why it should be abolished
immediately.

“If you’ve been ambivalent about the U.S. Justice Department’s
plans to break up Microsoft, consider this: Microsoft’s recent
actions show that it does pose a threat to competition in the
computer industry. But far more dangerous is the threat the company
poses to the most fundamental freedoms that define human rights in
a liberal democratic state, including the freedom of speech and the
right of citizens to due process of law. An extreme statement? If
you think so, read on.”

“You’ve probably heard that the premiere on-line discussion site
for open-source software enthusiasts, Slashdot, received a demand
from Microsoft’s attorneys concerning postings that recently
appeared on the site. These postings were about Microsoft’s
proposed extensions to the Kerberos security protocol, which
Microsoft has incorporated into its Windows 2000 operating
system.”


Complete Story

Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

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