The EFF's anti-SCO congressional letter campaign

Posted Aug 29, 2003 18:22 UTC (Fri) by dwalters (guest, #4207) [Link]

My point is that if you're going to write to your congressperson, make sure what you're writing is accurate, and isn't something SCO will be able to easily deny.

What do you want the community to do? Sit back and watch them FUD Linux all the way to town?

Of course not. But if FUD's the issue, then write that in your letter to your congressperson. The EFF boilerplate letter says that SCO have made the decision to sue individual users of Linux. But actually, they haven't!

Posted Aug 29, 2003 18:29 UTC (Fri) by bwaldow (guest, #14579) [Link]

Yes, we should do something. But using Congress to do something here is like using a fish to loosen a rusted nut - it's not the right tool.
Congress's job is to make Federal laws, subject to the dictates of the Constitution. The Executive branch's job is to carry out those laws, subject to the dictates of the Constitution. The Judiciary's (Courts) job is to see the laws are applied fairly when there's a dispute, subject to the dictates of the Constitution. (No one has authority except as proceeds from the Constitution.)
The existing laws will handle this situation just fine. It may be appropriate to involve the Executive organisations to get them carried out (the SEC, the Attorney's Office, etc.) but not Congress.
If we want different Federal laws, we involve Congress (we don't need them here). If we want the laws enforced, we involve the Executive branch. If there's an argument about who's right, we involve the Courts.
Existing law, if applied, will deal with SCO nicely. Involving Congress is a waste of time and money.