The Right to Read, Richard M. Stallman [ebook and pdf reader .txt] 📗

asingly set up to give absentee operators control over the peopleactually using the computer system.

The SPA, which actually stands for Software Publisher's Association,is not today an official police force. Unofficially, it acts likeone. It invites people to inform on their coworkers and friends; likethe Clinton Administration, it advocates a policy of collectiveresponsibility whereby computer owners must actively enforce copyrightor be punished.

The SPA is currently threatening small Internet service providers,demanding they permit the SPA to monitor all users. Most ISPssurrender when threatened, because they cannot afford to fight back incourt. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1 Oct 96, D3.) At least oneISP, Community ConneXion in Oakland CA, refused the demand and wasactually sued. The SPA is said to havedropped this suit recently, but they are sure to continue the campaignin various other ways.

The university security policies described above are not imaginary.For example, a