Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utcsrgv.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcsrgv!dave From: dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) Newsgroups: net.followup,net.legal Subject: Re: Computer Sightseers Message-ID: <3257@utcsrgv.UUCP> Date: Fri, 10-Feb-84 10:24:42 EST Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.3257 Posted: Fri Feb 10 10:24:42 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 10:50:54 EST References: <5525@decwrl.UUCP> Organization: The Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto Lines: 29 > Newsgroups: net.general > Subject: Computer Sightseers > From: castor::covert (John Covert) > Computer Sightseers Philosophy > > The act of dialing into a computer system is no different than walking > up to the front door of a business and asking for a tour. > > ... > > Searching for computer systems by dialing numbers in sequence is also > no different than walking down the public streets of a town knocking > on doors or dialing telephone numbers in sequence taking a poll or > selling a product. > > Unless there are clearly proven attempts by the caller to commit fraud, > this activity is no crime. You're welcome to your moral conclusions (I agree with some of them), but "this activity is no crime" states a legal conclusion, not a moral one. Whether or not a crime exists depends on your local statutes. For example, today in Canada "knocking on [computer] doors" is not a crime. In a few months it probably will be. Dave Sherman The Law Society of Upper Canada Toronto -- {allegra,cornell,decvax,ihnp4,linus,utzoo}!utcsrgv!dave