Declan appearing on "Europe's Most Wanted"

At 7:27 AM 2/1/96, sameer wrote:
>> I guess Declan M. won't be visting France or any of the other EU countries
>> any time soon!
>
>        That reminds me of a question--
>
>        If, for example, Germany decides that my company is in
>violation of their laws for mirroring the Zundelsite, will they send
>us a letter saying that, so we know not to go to Germany?

The Nebraska-based neo-Nazi publisher who was picked up in Denmark and
extradited to Germany pretty much knew his actions were illegal in Germany,
but I doubt (sheer speculation on my part) he had ever been formally
notified that an arrest warrant had been issued by Germany and could be
exercised in Denmark.

The situation with Declan, Sameer, Duncan, and others, is even less clear.
Things are moving much faster now that the Net is the means of
distribution. I was of course half-joking about Declan visiting Europe, but
surely France could decide to throw the book at him, and any EU country he
entered (such as Ireland, judging from his name) could hold him at their
entry point and ship him off to France to "set an example."

I suspect the U.S. never officially notified that Monterrey, Mexico alleged
drug dealer that he was wanted in the U.S., and as other kidnappings of
foreigners have shown, the U.S. feels it unnecessary to formally announce
to foreigners that they may be arrested in the U.S. (or kidnapped into the
U.S.). Thus, I strongly suspect that France will not bother to notify
Declan or Sameer or any of us that they face arrest in France (or
affiliated EU countries).

In Declan's case, I suspect France wants him for the Mitterand book and
Germany wants him for the Zundelsite mirrors. The lesser European countries
will of course follow their leads.

Seriously, Declan, I admire what you've done, but I hope you don't plan to
leave the U.S. for Europe anytime soon.

--Tim

Boycott espionage-enabled software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net  408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Higher Power: 2^756839 - 1  | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."

Excerpts from internet.cypherpunks: 1-Feb-96 Declan appearing on
"Europe.. by Timothy C. May@got.net 
> The situation with Declan, Sameer, Duncan, and others, is even less clear.
> Things are moving much faster now that the Net is the means of
> distribution. I was of course half-joking about Declan visiting Europe, but
> surely France could decide to throw the book at him, and any EU country he
> entered (such as Ireland, judging from his name) could hold him at their
> entry point and ship him off to France to "set an example."

Tim, you really know how to scare a fellow with this Subject: line this
early in the morning!

My take on the situation, from cyberia and WELL discussions, is that if
a book is banned under French law, it may be difficult to sue for
copyright violations. (Intuitively, this sorta makes sense. If you are
*unable* to sell it, what damages are there?) Also, international law
would require that the copyright holder sue in my local U.S. court.

I have not heard from either the publisher or author, even though French
ISPs have linked to my page and it's been getting a decent amount of
traffic. Interestingly, almost all the comments I've received have been
positive -- only two negative responses, including one email bombing
attempt. I would be interested to know what the publisher and author's
perspectives are on this. Reports from France indicate that the
publisher, Plon, is *not* going to sue the guy who first put it online.

> In Declan's case, I suspect France wants him for the Mitterand book and
> Germany wants him for the Zundelsite mirrors. The lesser European countries
> will of course follow their leads.

I'm not too worried about France, but I'm having second thoughts about
Germany. Let's just say I'm not planning a vacation there anytime soon.
:)

> Seriously, Declan, I admire what you've done, but I hope you don't plan to
> leave the U.S. for Europe anytime soon.

Thanks, Tim. I haven't actually spoken to my attorney (the former head
of the local ACLU) about this, and perhaps I should have. *sigh* He'll
probably yell at me for getting involved in yet another controversy...

-Declan

> Seriously, Declan, I admire what you've done, but I hope you don't plan to
> leave the U.S. for Europe anytime soon.
> 
> --Tim

I guess this sort of thing does involve extradition rules. For example,
Sweden has a Nazi party, which would offend Germans, who can, I'm
sure, see them on TV leave alone on the Net. Sweden's Information
(or something) Ministry has said that by law anyone can start
a party, but if the Nazis due something illegal (such as killing
people, or threatening them) the courts will handle it.

And Norway is not even _in_ the EU.

Rishab