Anoy Anon -- A federal crime ! ?

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Anonymous Annoyance now a Federal Crime.

On January 5th, President Bush signed into law language amending the
existing telephone harassment law.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sec_47_00000223----000-.html

The new provision is tucked away in a law to prevent violence to women.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060105-3.html

"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."

I've contended for years that anonymous posts would be the death of useful
usenet, but this law is .. is .. annoying ! ;-)

What's next?

... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.Econtrol.org