It seems we're not even out of the woods on the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), but post-Napster paranoia already is rearing its head over another gem: The Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA).

For those who are not entirely up to date regarding this matter, let me quote from Fritz Hollings' masterwork:

"It is unlawful to manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide or otherwise traffic in any interactive digital device that does not include and utilize certified security technologies."

If you're not among those wondering whether it's time to stage a sit-in or start burning your smartcards on the steps of Congress, you might as well click on through now. For those who fear the worst, keep reading.

Effective civil resistance requires commitment above and beyond a simple la-dee-dah e-mail to a congresscritter, or even going down to the demonstration. In This Story: A Time To Fight Bracing for the Worst We Need More! History Lesson  Related Stories

Gary's First Rule of Civil Disobedience: "Use correct terminology"

I find it a curious double-speak that our collective worlds of journalism and common parlance have so easily bought into the silent swapping of the verbs "to pirate" and "to bootleg." It is patently clear who the pirates are.

Pirate v: to take or appropriate by piracy

Piracy n: Medieval Latin piratia, from Late Greek peirateia, from Greek peiratEs an act of robbery on the high seas; also: an act resembling such robbery; robbery on the high seas.

Bootleg v: to carry (alcoholic liquor) on one's person illegally; to manufacture, sell or transport for sale (alcoholic liquor) illegally; to produce, reproduce or distribute illicitly or without authorization.

Let's call a spade a frickin' shovel. Pirates profit by force or threat of force. Bootleggers make and smuggle cheap reproductions to avoid paying a tax.

Bracing for the Worst

In my opinion, laws enacted in the United States to govern any digital media industries will (by default) be foisted on the rest of the people of Earth (somewhat like U.S. foreign policy). The handful of Americans who understand the issue can (and probably will) contact their state representatives. Yet the remaining 83 percent of the world's population (outside the United States) cannot do anything to stop it.

Maybe there's little or nothing we actually can do to prevent the SSSCA from being passed into U.S. law, but we can do something if it happens.

When composer John Cage was accepted for a Guggenheim Fellowship, he was sent a raft of forms, among them a statement swearing that the recipient of the award never "attempt to overthrow the government of the United States." Cage was distraught; he really needed the money. He called his friend and mentor Max Ernst for advice.

Max said, "Sign the papers, and continue spreading joy and revolution everywhere."

We Need More!

Effective civil resistance requires commitment above and beyond a simple la-dee-dah e-mail to a congresscritter, or even going down to the demonstration (to get your fair share of abuse).

The cynic in me says our gone-soft, whatever-you-say-boss, stock-optioned, my-gawd-not-the-beemer-too techie-culture -- the only people who can understand the stakes in this game -- will care not a darn toot. They will not risk themselves or their pocketbooks to actually stand up, wrists held out high and together, and taunt the feds with, "You gotta take me too." How many were willing to go to jail with Dmitri?

History Lesson

Unfortunately, mass civil disobedience is historically the best antidote to an unjust law. We can make it as clear as we can what our intentions will be. Let them sign it into their law. We, the people, will follow our law. Let Congress make his-story. We will make our-story.

Bootleg everything you can get your hands on.

Sign the papers, and continue to spread joy and revolution everywhere.