It's no secret that I'm on all sorts of email lists for the World Summit On Information Society (as related to Civil Society), and that I often get into discussions with people about legalities, rights, liberties, freedoms and what have you. But while everyone was caught up in the '4 countries + FBI = [Indymedia's Servers Seized]' fiasco/drama, I was focusing on something a little bit more - well - quiet.

Lawrence Lessig pointed out something sneaking through the United States Congress - HR4077. So I tossed it out on a few lists dealing with WSIS and Civil Society, and even discussed it to some degree with Stallman himself. But I don't think I got my point across; that laws in the United States are propagated sometimes by TRIPs, and I ventured that such things were of concern to the world instead of just the United States.

A lot of people stayed real quiet after, when challenged, I pointed out the landmark ruling Gutnick vs. Dow Jones. Laws on the internet do not always follow the rules people think that they should. Legal Precedent in the hands of a skilled lawyer can really make a difference. We'd like to think it would only happen if it were right, but...

Then Lessig posted some further analysis. Then on a Latin American/Caribbean email list, I get U.S. Declares War on Intellectual Property Theft (Thank you Diego). Of note:

Federal prosecutors will go to U.S. embassies in Hungary and Hong Kong to help with efforts in those countries, and the United States will ensure that intellectual property crimes are included in all its international extradition treaties.

So, my question is - by ignoring these things, how much harm can we possibly be doing in the advocacy of more rights? Of more freedoms?

It's amazing how many people seem to be missing the long view here - even the ones who are supposed to have the long view.