Appeals court hands free speech victory to poster of DVD cracking code

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In a rare victory for Internet free speech, a California appeals court reversed an order barring Andrew Bunner from posting DVD cracking code on his web site. This is an important victory for free speech on the web, because it helps affirm the right of individuals to freely post information that threatens the commercial interests of other parties. In reality, the DVD cracking code wasn't copyrighted at all, and the "copyright" argument by the DVD Copy Control Association was groundless. The real issue was the protection of profits. And the real question was, "Do individuals have the right to post information on their websites that may harm the financial interests of corporations?"

In a free society, the obvious answer to that question should be a resounding YES! Free Speech should protect our right to post information that challenges the motives and financial positions of any organization. The Internet is the place where people can freely exchange ideas and opinions, and today there's a dangerous trend towards outlawing certain links or certain content.

Web sites that post information questioning the severity and degree of the Holocaust, for example, are routinely labeled "hate sites" regardless of their approach. Sites questioning the legitimacy of the Bush Presidency have been called "information terrorism" sites. And, of course, there's the inevitable "politically incorrect" label used to disparage any site that uses language that's too direct, too blunt, or too close to the truth to be comfortable to some readers.

The only way to keep our society free is to encourage the free flow of ideas and opinions: even ones we don't agree with. If we, as a nation, censor online content, we only darken the minds of ourselves and future generations. The Internet, in fact, is the last free medium left on the planet. Keep the Internet free.
About the author: Mike Adams is a holistic nutritionist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored more than 1,500 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is an honest, independent journalist and accepts no money or commissions on the third-party products he writes about or the companies he promotes. In 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a maker of energy efficient LED lights that greatly reduce CO2 emissions. He's also a veteran of the software technology industry, having founded a personalized mass email software product used to deliver email newsletters to subscribers. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and pursues hobbies such as Pilates, Capoeira, nature macrophotography and organic gardening. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org


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