"Secret U.S. government cables show a stunning willingness by senior Canadian officials to appease American demands (more here) for a U.S.-style copyright law here. The documents describe Canadian officials as encouraging American lobbying efforts. They also cite cabinet minister Maxime Bernier raising the possibility of showing U.S. officials a draft bill before tabling it in Parliament. The cables, from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, even have a policy director for then industry minister Tony Clement suggesting it might help U.S. demands for a tough copyright law if Canada were placed among the worst offenders on an international piracy watch list. Days later, the U.S. placed Canada alongside China and Russia on the list." Unbelievable. Suddenly I understand why the SFPD had no qualms about acting as henchmen for Apple goons to violate someone's constitutional rights. If a government is messed up, it only makes sense this is reflected in the corporate policies of its prime corporations.
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Member since:2005-11-13
Well, they showed up and ASKED if they could search his place. Is that against the law? IMHO, they did it WITH police escorts, so if laws were broken, probably more the fault of the police dept than Apple.
I swear, you guys act like Apple employees showed up at his house, announced themselves as the police (without the police actually being present), kicked down his door, and then ransacked his place while the dude was being restrained. Remember, he GAVE THEM PERMISSION to do the search.
Disclaimer: Before I am labeled an Apple fanboy, I do not own any of their products
Member since:2009-12-07
I agree with your comment except that the police, according to their undisputed account, never entered the premises.
It is a rumor or alleged (by some look@me blogger!) that one of the Apple employees involved went to some effort to appear as though he was an active, onduty policeman (pretending to be one by say flashing a badge would be illegal) but then again it is also reported that he gave the owner of the property his Apple business card, so seems like the real story isn't quite clear.
Regardless doesn't involve the police who remained on the sidewalk.
Member since:2009-12-07
You have no clue wth you're talking about as usual. You have every right to observe police actions in public spaces.
And I have no idea wtf you're yammering on about DO NOT and EVEN IF (ALL CAPS OMG). NEWSFLASH, NO COMPLAINT WAS FILED BY APPLE.
The 4th amendment doesn't apply to private citizens. Evidence obtained even illegally by private citizens doesn't fall under the exclusionary rule (ie, if I break into your house to find my stolen property and deliver what I find to the police, I am most likely guilty of trespass/b&e and you will be convicted of possession of stolen property using the evidence I found). And if you voluntarily let me into your house and I find my stolen property, you are basically a very stupid thief and I have done nothing wrong.
Also your concepts of police "power" and morality are obviously as misinformed as your knowledge of software given your post history. The police according to the so far undisputed facts of the account of these events never entered the private property or even spoke to the owner. They were called to a residence involving a private property dispute and according to so far everyone involved stayed in the street. Do you have some reliable source of information that is contrary? No? Ok, run along. An abuse of police power would be something along the lines of harassing this person by say towing his car because it is 15 inches from the curb repeatedly (an actual offense but when applied capriciously is abusive).
Finally if you want to play along with Holwerda's absurd, nonsensical little make-believe world of right and wrong, good and evil (you know what the rest of us call diplomacy), fine: what exactly did any US official specifically do that you think is "corrupt" or in violation of any law with respect to Canadian law?
Member since:2011-04-05
Boy, perhaps you should take a class is basic law 101. You can ride along with the coppers during the investigation to the location, as a ride-along witness or victim to the crime, dipshit. Actually, it depends on the police department's rules and regulations, but most likely they would.
The cops don't need a warrant when the person gave them consent to search the house. He gave up his 4th amendment right and 5th amendment right away for being dumb enough to talk to the coppers without a lawyer. This is basic stuff everyone should know, even a self-proclaimed law expert like you.
What the SFPD did was perfectly legal and no abuse of power.
Isn't this supposed to be a tech related website?
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Member since:
2006-01-14
Boy, you need to take some classes on law. IF I call the police and tell them that I had my phone stolen AND give them the GPS coordinates to the location, I DO NOT get to ride along on the investigation. I also DO NOT have the right to search the suspects house. EVEN IF the owner lets the police in to search, I would NOT be allowed to tag along. What's more, the police would get a warrant which a judge has to sign. Warrants issued are usually publicly disclosed. What the SFPD officers did was completely immoral and an abuse of power, largely because a large corporation which pays lots of taxes wanted to keep things quiet. Corruption in favor of corporate interests is EXACTLY what this case has to do with our government pressuring other countries. While Canada is practically the 51st state, they did the same things to Brazil and Spain.
Edited 2011-09-05 02:51 UTC