Not a cooker issue, but it is a concern to all Linux users. You guys at Mnadrake should be posting info about UCITA to all of your users ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: Act on UCITA NOW Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 16:20:39 -0500 From: Skip Lockwood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> An update on Maryland and the rest of the country� ACTION NEEDED NOW!! In the Maryland House of Delegates, the Science and Technology Subcommittee is completing its work on the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA). On Wednesday, March 22, 2000 the Subcommittee completed its public hearings on UCITA and commenced its private deliberations concerning amendments to the legislation. No word as of yet concerning the ultimate outcome of these deliberations. Overall, it is unlikely that the changes will be capable of addressing the many deficiencies identified in UCITA. Rumor has it that House deliberations on the UCITA measure may start as soon as Saturday, March 25, 2000 but more than likely, on Monday, March 27, 2000. It is IMPERATIVE that Delegates hear that UCITA is seriously flawed and should be opposed. If you have not yet written, faxed or e-mailed your Maryland representatives, you should do so NOW. (You may contact your representative via e-mail at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hseal.html) In the Maryland Senate, the Senate Finance Committee Working Group on UCITA has one remaining meeting on Monday, March 27, 2000 at 3:00 p.m.. in the James Senate Office Building. Anyone in the Annapolis, MD area is strongly encouraged to attend these meetings. The meetings are open to the public and the Senators would be very interested to know how you feel. Again, if you have not written, e-mailed, or faxed your Senator, now is the time. (You may contact your Senator at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/senal.html) Maryland's legislative session ends on April 10, 2000 and so very little time is left to effect significant changes to UCITA. The correspondence to date has been very effective at slowing down the UCITA juggernaut. In the home stretch, a large amount of correspondence will result in putting UCITA off for a year or even killing the measure. Every letter and call counts toward attaining our goal. A sample letter follows for your use: *****************A Letter to the House*********************** Dear Delegate, I write asking you to oppose passage of HB 19, The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA). As a user of digital information, I believe that UCITA will prevent me from fully realizing the potential of the Internet and e-commerce by allowing software and information sellers to create unfair licenses. These licenses may restrict my rights to information, may allow the vendors to sell poorly built products, and may also allow them to remotely shut-down my computer programs. The current laws governing computer information, including Federal Copyright law, are protecting vendors as evidenced by the explosive growth of e-commerce and the Internet. Please protect my use of the Internet and e-commerce and OPPOSE HB 19. Respectfully, *****************A Letter to the Senate*********************** Dear Senator, I write asking you to oppose passage of SB 142, The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA). As a user of digital information, I believe that UCITA will prevent me from fully realizing the potential of the Internet and e-commerce by allowing software and information sellers to create unfair licenses. These licenses may restrict my rights to information, may allow the vendors to sell poorly built products, and may also allow them to remotely shut-down my computer programs. The current laws governing computer information, including Federal Copyright law, are protecting vendors as evidenced by the explosive growth of e-commerce and the Internet. Please protect my use of the Internet and e-commerce and OPPOSE SB 142. Respectfully, ************************************************************ In other news, California did not introduce UCITA this year and it looks at though it may not be introduced next year either. Illinois has tabled UCITA indefinitely. Oklahoma has passed UCITA out of its Senate chamber but there is no movement in the Oklahoma House. Delaware has now introduced UCITA in the Senate Hawaii shows no movement on UCITA though sources indicate that the measure may die. UCITA was also introduced in the District of Columbia within the last week and hearings are scheduled for April 20, 2000. You can help prevent UCITA's introduction in your state by writing your Representatives, as well as contacting your Governor. -- Skip Lockwood 8th floor 21 Dupont Circle Washington, DC 20036 202-533-2004 202-872-0884 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
