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Subject:Re: More ethics... From:Peter <pnewman1 -at- home -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Sun, 19 Aug 2001 11:48:28 -0400
Bruce Byfield wrote:
> The United States' law agencies have a history of thinking that American
> law overrides the laws of other countries; for example, in the past,
> they have attempted to fine and inconvenience Canadian executives who do
> business with Cuba -something that is perfectly legal in Canada. And
> would an American be moved around as much as Sklyarov was, making legal
> counsel or other aid more difficult to reach him? In other words, as a
> non-American,
They are equal opportunity <fill in the blank> Yes, they have been known
to treat Americans in the same manner, in certain cases.
> As a high-tech worker, I'm concerned about whether I could ever be
> treated the same way when I visit the United States. Sklyarov seems to
> have largely been a target of opportunity; if he's guilty, then going
> after him is like arresting someone who deals drugs on the street to end
> the supply of drugs. Why not pursue Elcomsoft through the courts, or go
> after the CEO instead? I can't help wondering if I could ever be treated
> as a scapegoat for a company in the same way. If I were to document or
> market a product that contravened American law, but were legal in
> Canada, I wonder if I could also be arrested if I visited the States.
> What if I had nothing to do with the product beyond working for a
> company who produced the product? Military work, cryptography and
> on-line gambling are just three areas of work that might make me or any
> other non-American vulnerable. As a frequent visitor to the US, should I
> therefore select my contracts to ensure that they don't contravene
> American law? To the best of my knowledge, I don't believe that I ever
> have been involved in any work that might cause me trouble, but why
> should I have to keep up to date on American laws or curtail visiting
> the US simply because its law enforcement agencies think that its laws
> take precedence the rest of the world's?
I truly wish the answer was different. Yes, depending on what you do. I
would speak to a knowledgeable lawyer if I felt that I had any potential
vulnerability. Sometimes these thoughts take the fun out of things.
--
Peter
Mailto:peternew -at- optonline -dot- net
Adapting old programs to fit new machines
usually means adapting new machines to
behave like old ones.
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