Interpretation of traditional offences

Three scenari demonstrating how the internet affects the interpretation of criminal law

Sexting: no child porn for the US courts
"Court Rejects PA DAs Attempt To Charge Teens For Sexting Themselves", TechDirt, 18 March 2010 - The court is right in legal terms. The child porn offence was meant to protect children against others (and adults) rather than against themselves (and their peers). But morally and practically, it is not satisfying. The DA could have used the money spent in prosecuting differently? I think this is one of the offences most deeply affected by our ways of consuming the new technologies

"California Court Says Online Bullying Is Not Protected Free Speech" TechDirt, 19 March 2010. Decision justified as long as the "bullying" fits the definition of harassment; calling somebody a jerk without a pattern of abuse is no harassment.


"ACS:Law Now Using Dubious Legal Theories To Threaten Slyck.com", TechDirt, 22 March 2010. It is not so much the headline that interests me than the details of the article: NY has passed a legislation to avoid forum shopping in liber law. In effect, libel decisions from foreign jurisdiction are unenforceable on its territory. This destroys the idea that one can be liable from anything published on the web by any jurisdiction; indeed, a condemnation can only be enforced if the country of residence accepts the enforcement! Remains the issue of the trial by abstentia and the difficulties the person may have to travel to the country who took the original decision as traditionally, stepping on one's territory is to accept its jurisdiction. So the ban is enforced differently!

But for no change in the law, just change in illegal methods to act: "Disgruntled Ex-Auto Dealer Employee Hacks Computer System To Disable Over 100 Cars" TechDirt, 18 March 2010