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How an Italian judge made the internet illegal
[Quote:]
Italian bloggers are up in arms at a court ruling early this year that suggests almost all Italian blogs are illegal. This month, a senior Italian politician went one step further, warning that most web activity is likely to be against the law.
The story begins back in May, when a judge in Modica (in Sicily) found local historian and author Carlo Ruta guilty of the crime of “stampa clandestina” – or publishing a “clandestine” newspaper – in respect of his blog. The judge ruled that since the blog had a headline, that made it an online newspaper, and brought it within the law’s remit.
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So is this just a storm in a teacup? After all, if this law potentially affects some 5 million Italian websites, there are at least 4,999,999 that have not yet been taken down. Why was Carlo Ruta singled out?
One clue lies in the location of the court that found him guilty (Sicily). Another, in the fact that his blog contained much detailed research of links between politics and the mafia – always a sensitive subject in Italy.
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Italians are crazy…!
It’s not good. Although, I think it still beats the “hey, what is a horse….. head… doing on.. my.. pillow…” scenario.
But yes, it is not too good, and you expect a lot more like this all over the world as blogs become more and more popular.
Ya know, I seem to remember death threats against Italian judges in earlier cases. Maybe this judge decided to play it safe and let a higher court (or parliament) reverse the decision.
I’m not blaiming the judge here, I’m blaming the law.