Richard O’Dwyer just might get extradited.
Ho hum, Doc. Who cares?
Turns out many folks besides his mum and dad. You see, Mr. O’Dwyer is a subject of The Queen. He “provides”, or helps to provide (through an online ‘link site’ – this is hardly parenthetical) movies and TV shows to which he owns no “rights” by providing these links. Ironically, he’s a student working towards his B.S. degree in “Interactive Media”.
I.C.E. is requesting his deportation to the United States (where he hasn’t been since age 5) for trial: American officials want to try him on charges of criminal copyright infringement and conspiracy.
He, his servers, and the alleged crimes were not perpetrated on U.S. soil. He is requesting trial in the U.K. In late June 2010, the domain name was seized in a virtual sting by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This was made possible by the fact that all .com and .net domain names are registered through US companies. Since, he has re-established his operation under a similar name.
To here the facts.
Now, the problem and discussion start. Has a crime been committed? If so, what and where? Who has jurisdiction? Should extradition be used here? Does the alleged crime warrant it since it might not be a crime where he resides?
However, I wish the discussion to go much deeper than the ‘facts’ and legalities. Are we witnessing a revolution in society and economics? You see, in other of my articles, interesting ideas have been raised and not really pursued.
Although we won’t resolve anything as far as determining what will happen to Mr. O’Dwyer, there are further implications which deserve attention: What about the primary providers of these goods to which no rights were obtained? What about international groups of individuals who distribute malware and who steal the money and identities of others? What about groups who hack and steal information? What about Governments which partake in these same or similar activies?
How should we think of them and what should their disposition be? Are they related to this issue? Should there be international courts to deal with these people and governments? Which laws and rules should govern them?
In the age of the ‘Global Village’, a huge marketplace for ideas, goods and services has been created. Nothing but tree killing snail mail (and me going upstairs) moves ‘slowly’ anymore. What are the norms and rules governing this? Can they even begin to cope with this new borderless creature? Should America become in yet another way “the cops of the world”? Are governments anything but outdated “brick and mortar” in the electronic matrix in which we live?
The debate should be interesting. I hope to learn from all your ideas.
Source: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/07/big-content-unveils-latest-antipiracy-weapon-extradition.ars