A WIPO congregation comprised of delegates from all UN nations has recently proposed a treaty that deals with “signal theft”. Certain nations, namely the US, have pushed to make it international law to outlaw the decryption of
anything, but however that only effects the little people such as us. Certain corporations and governments are still allowed to decrypt materials as they please. Now I suppose all of this only very slightly encroaches on our rights, but however there is more.
Quote:
From Article 16, Alternative V:
2. In particular, effective legal remedies shall be provided against those who:
...
(iii) Participate in the manufacture, importation, sale, or any other act that makes available a device or system capable of decrypting or helping to decrypt an encrypted program-carrying signal.
Now, read that again, but very carefully.
Yes that’s right, it really is that vague. With that type of language they are basically saying anyone who uses a computer is
capable of decrypting, and should be punished for having that possibility. It also completely shuts down the entire computer market, and leaves it open only to certain companies (Microsoft) to produce these “computers” that are incapable of doing much of anything. Can you say Big Brother?
Furthermore this treaty also bans the pencil and paper, I mean it’s a device you can use to decrypt something with. And how can you forget calculators too? They solve cryptic problems; therefore they too are banned by this treaty. Why stop there, I mean our brains are devices that can decrypt, why not ban us too?
Currently many nations are opposing this as they see what is really going to happen. However, this
great (USA) country is pushing for it. The government doesn’t care about the common man, it only wants to help the rich guys so it too can retain its power. Support the underdogs, and if your feeling really ambitious go to the
WIPO website and send them something to think about.
When is all said and done:
If computers are to be outlawed, then I too shall be outlawed.