Last year the Department of Homeland Security made a bit of a stink when news surfaced of its border search and seizure policy regarding notebooks. The short of it was that the DHS was ruled to have the clearance to take possession of, and search, the notebook computer of anyone entering the country.

Apparently they figured that terrorists would be carrying detailed plans for their latest attack in PowerPoint presentations or something.

Regardless, the issue died down a bit as the recession hit and the presidential elections came around. Now, the Obama administration is issuing its take on the policy. Those of you expecting a sweeping overhaul or outright abolishment of the policy will be disappointed, though there are some changes. Owners will be allowed to be present when the search is conducted, and all searches must be performed in front of a supervisor and carefully logged.

Perhaps the most discouraging excerpt, however, is the following:

Searches of electronic media, permitted by law and carried out at borders and ports of entry, are vital to detecting information that poses serious harm to the United States, including terrorist plans, or constitutes criminal activity--such as possession of child pornography and trademark or copyright infringement.

Okay, I think we all can agree that those engaging in terrorism and child pornography should definitely be sought out and prosecuted, but why in the world would anyone equate those with copyright infringement? Is it really okay for the police to stop you at the airport, crack open your computer and bust you for a bit-torrent of Zoolander? And since the police can stop anyone suspected of a crime, how do you spot a "suspect" of copyright infringement?
 

28 Aug 2009