New law punishes trolling with jail time

[Darkdoc]

From ZDNet: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6...ml?tag=nl.e589

Commentary--Annoying someone via the Internet is now a federal crime.

It's no joke. Last Thursday, President Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity.

In other words, it's OK to flame someone on a mailing list or in a blog as long as you do it under your real name. Thank Congress for small favors, I guess.

This ridiculous prohibition, which would likely imperil much of Usenet, is buried in the so-called Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act. Criminal penalties include stiff fines and two years in prison.

"The use of the word 'annoy' is particularly problematic," says Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "What's annoying to one person may not be annoying to someone else."

It's illegal to annoyA new federal law states that when you annoy someone on the Internet, you must disclose your identity. Here's the relevant language.

"Whoever...utilizes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet... without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person...who receives the communications...shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both."
Buried deep in the new law is Sec. 113, an innocuously titled bit called "Preventing Cyberstalking." It rewrites existing telephone harassment law to prohibit anyone from using the Internet "without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy."

This is beyond incredible, even if it means we can get rid of Bob - or at least he'll have to post under his real name.

A threat to message boards for sure, if it isn't challenged and revoked.

What are these fools thinking?

[24champ]

been posted before.

[SoonerBronco]

You may want to change that sig line 24Champbailey. It was not in 1986, it was '96. It was not the playoffs...just a regular season game.

[Darkdoc]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

been posted before.

Sorry, didn't see it.

Moderator may delete.

[Bronx33]

Bob should be serving a life sentence..

[PatsRule]

Blame Al Gore, after all he did invent the internet....

[Victor]

Originally Posted by PatsRule

Blame Al Gore, after all he did invent the internet....

Your post was annoying and you're going to jail, chowder.

[PatsRule]

Originally Posted by EWangsness

Your post was annoying and you're going to jail, chowder.

I hate Chowda I really do..I dont even like seafood

[CBF1]

RIP Mock

[Haroldthebarrel]

How does that work?

Does the law apply if the server is in a foreign country, and would I and others that are not american be doing an international crime if i were to annoy you.
Would be amusing if i got a call from your consulate telling me that Ive been indicted in the USA?

[missingnumber7]

If thats the case what about rush or some of those other idiots...they annoy me...on and Ted Kennedy too.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

"The use of the word 'annoy' is particularly problematic," says Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "What's annoying to one person may not be annoying to someone else."

In principle, this new law sounds just like that new gun law in Florida.

I can't remember all the specifics, but the jist of it is that you have the right to draw down on someone in public if you feel "threatened."

Too nuckin' futs!